*To cater for widows, poor, others
By; AXHADU GABRIEL, Kaduna
Building of Dorcas Danladi Skills Acquisition Centre that will be targeting mostly the poor, widows, school dropouts and other vulnerable people in the society, has commenced in Kaduna by the Caleb Danladi Foundation.
This was disclosed during the groundbreaking ceremony of the centre, held at Kafanchan Road, opposite primary school, Samban Gida in Kwoi, Jaba LGA of Kaduna State at the weekend.
Addressing journalists during the ceremony, the founder and CEO of the foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi Bako explained that the centre would target mainly, the less privileged, school dropouts, students, widows, youths and other vulnerable people in the society.
Named after his late younger sister, Dorcas Danladi who passed away about a month ago, Captain Danladi Bako said the dream of the late sister was to have a similar centre to be able to render help before life cut it short.
The founder further stated that the Dorcas Danladi Memorial Skills Acquisition Centre is a historical project particularly for his immediately family, the community and Caleb Danladi Foundation family.
His words, “Just exactly a month today, my sister passed away. Part of her passion in life was to do something similar to skills acquisition centre, where she can be able to render help but unfortunately, life cut short her dreams.
“She was not able to achieve that dream, but we don’t want that dream to go in vain, so we decided to come together to build this center in her memory”, he said.
He also said every measure has been put in place for the sustainability of the project in line with every NGO’s plan, even from the planing stage, and it would not be a wasteful venture.
According to him, the project is going to impact meaningfully on the entire community, local government area, and the state in general.
He restated the growing focus on entrepreneurial and skills acquisition training into education curriculum nationally.
“Basically this centre is going to go far in delivering one of the key federal government’s plans by empowering youth and women in particular, with skills needed in 21st century to carter for themselves, the community development and development goals.
“The poor performance of the recent JAMB results is not because they’re not knowledgeable, but because they lack the actual technical skills to be able to use computer or even touch it.
“There’ll be a dedicated computer centre to cater for the youth, especially in areas of JAMB, talent education acquisition.
“Even though the centre will provide training free of charge, but for the women trained at centre without equipment, they will be assisted with some in a discounted fee, with the centre when putting it into profitable use, as part of the sustainability plans”, he said.
He also said there are plans to build similar ones in Kagoma chiefdom and other local government areas in northern parts of Kaduna State as well as other parts of Jaba LGA.
The centre will also come with borehole in view of the problem of pipe borne water because of water scarcity in the community in memory of late Dorcas.
According to him, the building of and commissioning of the project will be done by December 2024, to commence operations and rendering service by His Grace.
Even though the resources have been secured for building and completion of the project by the founder personally, according to him, it is however, gathered that contributions of materials by volunteers in terms of sand has been donated by spirited individuals.
The founder promised to collaborate with government and other international agencies in future for training, after the foundation has been laid and work completed.
The ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including the Anglican Bishop of Kwoi Diocese, the District Head of Barde Chiefdom, the District Head of Nok, the Chairman of the JNI, the Paramount Rulers of Samban Gida, and the Chairman and Secretary of Kwoi DCC.
Each delivered heartfelt goodwill messages, expressing their support for the memorial center and its potential to uplift the community.
