Yemisi Izuora.
In a move to curb the spate of increasing unemployment in Nigeria , Heal The World Movement , a Christian charity organisation with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria and branches within the country and globally, recently organised a one month free skill acquisition/empowerment for young men , women and elderly widows .
The skill acquisition empowerment which was geared towards reducing the rate of unemployment and easing the stress of unemployment in homes and the society had over 200 participants, drawn from different demographical age brackets, who are mainly fresh graduates, Senior Secondary School leavers, aged widows and economically challenged adults.
The training was organised in conjunction with Goodlife Foundation; a Non-Governmental Organisation training outfit. The programme which was totally free offered over 10 courses, these included: Catering, Cosmetology, bead making, soap making, make-up artistry, consumables, toiletries etc.
Designed to help unemployed Nigerians; especially members of the movement acquire various skills which could help them become independent entrepreneurs in an economy with limited white collar job.
Commenting on the reasons for organising the free skill acquisition empowerment programme, President, Heal The World Movement Dr. Tola Olukilede said the movement, was established to practically meet the needs of families and the needy both in Nigeria and beyond. Pointing out that aside from the empowerment programme, the movement also provides scholarships, welfare and other humanitarian services, so the recent training is part of the organisation’s way of fulfilling the mandate handed over to him by God in December, 1999.
His word: “The mandate is, “trade covenant secrets to raise prosperous families and people for kingdom exploit”.
Specifically he noted that the recent programme was designed to help unemployed Nigerians; especially members of the movement acquire various skills which could help them become independent entrepreneurs in an economy with limited white collar jobs.
Dr Olukilede who is passionate about the mandate, noted that his organisation believes that to serve God effectively an individual needs money,“ We invest in people, poverty is not lack of money, but lack of idea; what we are doing is selling ideas to people and ensuring that they are actively making use of what they leant”.
According to him, the limited Government jobs are not the best, “We have a lot of opportunities to be harnessed, if you can think and create, you can make a lot of money”.
He said the free skill acquisition scheme has been on for over 15 years, but the previous editions were just for a week, but this year’s training was extensive and more elaborate it lasted for one month, participants were awarded certificates at the end of the training. “This has been the longest because of the partnership between us and Goodlife Foundation, a training outfit tested and certified, they provided us with instructors who added value to this year’s training and the lives of participants. “
Explaining further he hinted that the movement’s core calling or assignment is to trade covenant secrets to raise prosperous families and people for kingdom exploits. These include: Help Ministry,
Pastoring, Guidance and Counseling, Women Ministry,
Youth Empowerment, and awarding Scholarship.
He informed that aside from the skill acquisition the movement also offers Soft loans exclusively for members of the movement, especially aged widows.
On how these businesses established are sustained he said In order to ensure the businesses established are sustained, all the trainees are encouraged to do the following: become a registered member of the movement, attend empowerment seminars every second Saturday of the month. Show strong zeal about the teachings and also Show determination to practice what they are taught.
Olukilede noted that his organisation has impacted lives yearly through skill acquisition for 15 years. Adding that Covenant Believers Christian Men Fellowship International takes care of monitoring and mentorship of graduates from the programme. “We teach people how to manage money; you don’t grow big to manage money. People are taught money management, judicious spending, and how to sustain and grow businesses. We also have a cooperative Society where they contribute and whenever they need money for investment, they can borrow. We know without money nothing works”.
On how far this programme has moved the economy forward, he said,” It is done annually, it helps people to become independent entrepreneurs, people will have more cash, they will not be begging in the street rather will have hope”.
He said ‘Heal The World Movement is a response to a divine vision or assignment from God, I always ask God what to do. The mandate is clear, I know, I heard him say: “trade covenant secrets to raise prosperous families and people for kingdom exploit”.
“To live well and make heaven you need money. There is no way you can live well without money. In fact our motto is, to do exploit for God; you can’t do exploit for God if you don’t have money” Olukilede asserted.