200 women and youth victims of violence in Osun State, funded by the United Nations Development Programme and the Norwegian Government, have graduated after an intensive six-month training and the commissioning of the Crisis Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS), AMILOADED reports.
The training, which commenced with a two-week orientation programme to help victims get over the trauma of violence, was held at the Technical College, Osogbo.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, the Osun State Commissioner, Economic Planning Budget and Development, Prof. Olalekan Yinusa, said the gathering was to celebrate excellence and passion.
“We’re here to celebrate excellence, goodwill, passion and by this, I refer to our governor who has worked tirelessly to make this happen. The people that have been trained are largely youths and women. The platform used for their selection is devoid of sentiments. They were tutored by professionals in the field of psychology to get them to forget the trauma of violence. About 635 names were forwarded to Norwegian Government which were screened an reduced to 200.”
While speaking on the Crisis Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS), Dr. Babatunde Olawale, said, “The Crisis Early Warning and Early Response System intervention by the UNDP is a welcome complement to the state owned emergency 293 short code system used for responding to emergency cases in Osun.
“My gratitude goes to Governor Gboyega Oyetola for giving approval for the conversion of all the 27 casual staff at the centre to permanent staff.”
In his address, the Trade Counsellor, Embassy of Norway, Abuja, Mr Hans Christopherson, said, ” it is a real privilege for me and a great honour to visit Osun State and be part of this programme. There is a saying in Norway that ‘idleness is the route to all evil’. This programme enables you to be active.”
The deputy governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, representing the state governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said the relationship between is that both Osun and Norway are united in strength and love as interpreted from Osun and Norway symbols.
He said, “I am honoured to be here today at the graduation ceremony of women and youth victims of of violence in the State of Osun and the inauguration of the Crisis Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS), funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Norwegian Government. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Norwegian Government. On behalf of the good people of Osun, I say a big thank you for the CEWERS intervention. This system has served in keeping at bay crisis situations and responding to diverse emergency needs.
“To the graduands, these instruments that would be given you today, if you would no longer have need of them, please return them because in two years, you shall be visited and evaluated on how well you’re doing.”
The beneficiaries were trained on hairdressing, shoemaking, bricklaying, fashion designing, electrical work, phone repair, electrical installation, fabrication and welding, computer science,catering and decoration and others.
Present at the ceremony were Engr. Abayomi Omigbodun, executive secretary, Technical Education Board and Hon. Oladoyin Bamidayemi, Commissioner for education.
Some of the graduands who received their certificates in shoemaking, hairdressing and others are Adepoju Abiodun, Adesiyan John, Oyedele Jeli, Aworinde Roseline, Adewuyi Shakirat.
Adepoju Abiodun one of the graduands speaking on behalf of his colleagues appreciated all the stakeholders.
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