In a bid to empower Nigeria’s youth and equip them with vocational skills, Shining Light Christian Church, in collaboration with Hephzibah Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has successfully trained 140 young individuals in various skill acquisition programs. The training, which took place at Anfani, College Crescent, Ibadan, Oyo state capital, covered a range of skills, including tie and dye, interior and exterior decoration, computer and graphic design, nylon making, bag making, auto gele, catering, tailoring, and hairdressing.
The Senior Pastor of Shining Light Christian Church and President of Shining World Outreach, Olu Olajimi, expressed delight at the commitment of the youths to learn new skills, stating, “We have been here since Monday, and we have 140 students who have been coming since Monday. We have 11 classes, and we have been teaching people on how to sew, fashion designing, and computer literacy. It’s a blessing to see these young people eager to learn and acquire skills that will benefit them in the long run.”
The convener of Hephzibah Moses Ogunsan Foundation, Mrs. Rachel Sodiya, shared the inspiration behind the foundation, saying, “I was struck by the number of people, especially sisters, who lacked a means of livelihood. In 2015, a sister approached me and asked for ₦45,000 to learn hair-making skills. This encounter sparked an idea – instead of giving her fish, we could teach her how to fish. Instead of helping one person with a large sum of money, we could empower many by teaching them a skill. And so, the foundation was born.”
Mrs. Sodiya further emphasized the importance of empowering the youth, stating, “As a mother to the youth, I urge everyone to join hands in helping the government and parents empower the younger generation. Nigeria’s future depends on our collective efforts to uplift our youth. I know firsthand the struggles of getting ahead in life. As someone fortunate enough to travel abroad and return to Nigeria, I am committed to making a positive impact. I believe in the potential of our youth and want to help them reach their full potential.”
Beneficiaries of the program, including Abolade Mariam, Olubola Adeola, and Ayokunle Ayomide, expressed their gratitude to the facilitators, acknowledging the positive impact the training has had on their lives.
Abolade Mariam, a beneficiary of the program, said, “I have learned a lot. We learned how to cut and sew. We also learned basic body measurements, how to measure anyone, and how to transfer the measurements into fabrics. I did some work myself yesterday. I want to say a very big thank you to the facilitator, our father, the Pastor of Shining Light Christian Church and the President of Shining World Outreach, Olu Olajimi, and the convener of this program, Hephzibah Moses Ogunsan Foundation, for giving us this opportunity to learn because they’ve tried for us, and with what we’ve been taught, we can boldly say that we now have a job of our own.”
Olubola Adeola, another beneficiary, stated, “Learning doesn’t end. It is what a person must do every day. Like 2 or 3 weeks ago, I never knew I was going to gain this kind of experience in making tie and dye, and baltic. In the past few days, I have been able to learn how to tie and dye clothes and how to put different kinds of designs on clothes. So I gain a lot.”
Ayokunle Ayomide, a 19-year-old female beneficiary learning to barber, thanked the church for creating a channel for her to learn her dream skill, saying, “I’m excited to share my experience with you. I’ve been here for six days now, and it’s been wonderful! I’m grateful to the founder, Moses Ogunsan, for this opportunity to learn and gain new skills. The organizers and teachers have been fantastic, and I appreciate their efforts and time. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. This program has been truly amazing, and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it.”
The program has successfully trained almost 2,000 students since its inception in 2015, with enrollment numbers consistently growing. The foundation remains committed to providing free training, accommodation, and support to those in need, enabling them to become self-sufficient.
