The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and American University of Nigeria (AUN) have distributed resettlement packs to 250 graduates of its skill acquisition empowerment for displaced persons in Borno state.
Presenting the packs to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Project Manager, Kowuyi Gholahan, said that the beneficiaries were exposed to various founder vocations under the Livelihood Empowerment initiated by the UN agency.
He said the beneficiaries were provided with starter packs at the end of the eight-week exercise to enable them to set up businesses.
Gbolahan listed the vocations to include cap making, livestock, mirco businesses, fries and baking, cosmetology and soap processing as well as beads, cap, shoe and bag making.
“AUN is the implementing partner of the programme; we are providing skill acquisition training and starter kits to 250 persons including displaced persons, returnees and host communities in Maiduguri.
“This programme was designed to build resilience and provide means of livelihoods to persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. We hope these 250 trainees would use their tools to empower more people,” Gbolahan said.
He explained that the beneficiaries were also trained to enable them to manage their businesses and ensure sustainability of the programme.