On January 21st, 2021, Baywood Foundationin partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation officially launched the Youth ICT and Skills Acquisition Project (YISAP) in Enugu state.
The YISAP Opening Ceremony had in attendance key stakeholders in the private and public sector, including representatives of the Enugu State Government, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the National Youth Council, The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities JONAPWDS amongst others.
The Launch of the YISAP Project will remain unforgettable in the hearts of Ndi Enugu who will benefit from the YISAP Project. The event paves way for the implementation of the various project activities targeted at achieving the goal of empowering 600 direct project beneficiaries with the entrepreneurship and vocational skills that will cause improved livelihood, boost their income, making them employers of labor as well as employable. The project will be implemented in Udi, Igboeze-North, and Enugu East LGAs selected across the three senatorial zones of Enugu State.
Presenting his welcome address, The Country Director of Baywood Foundation, Barr. Ojielo Chukwudi thanked The Coca-Cola Foundation for the grant award to implement the YISAP Project. He stated that the project will go a long way to support the young people with skills such as ICT, Photography, Photo, and Video Editing, Agro-businesses skills, Barbing, Digital Marketing, Graphics Design, Confectionaries, Making of Household essentials, and other homemade consumables, fascinator, hats, and another small scale enterprise. He also stressed that the YISAP Project will also provide seed funds to 100 persons to start-up their business, provide mentorship and support on business branding and packaging, business registration as well as empower beneficiaries with skills in business and financial management.
In a goodwill message by the representative of The Coca-Cola Foundation, Mr. Ademola Yusuf, The Coca-Cola Foundation is funding the YISAP project in fulfillment of its Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) and a way to provide means of livelihood and support entrepreneurship. As an organization, the Coca-Cola foundation believes the future of Nigeria belongs to the youths which she has shown commitment in other projects like Youth Empower which was implemented in 2017, and more recently the Youth ICT & Skills Acquisition Product (YISAP) implemented by Baywood Foundation (BF). According to him, TheCoca-Cola System which comprises Coca-cola and the Nigerian Bottling Company has been consistent in its support for youth development across the globe.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of UdiLGA, Hon Ifeanyi Agu said his Local Government has worked tirelessly to prepare itself for such youth empowerment. He said that the Local Government is grateful to the Baywood Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation for selecting Udi for the implementation of the YISAP.
He pledged that the Local Government will work to ensure there is an enabling environment for the smooth activity take-off.
The event was graced by different dignitaries which include; Udi Local Government Chairman, Hon. Paschal Ifeanyi Agu; Commissioner Culture and Tourism, Enugu State, Hon. Ugonna Ibe; The chairman Udi Traditional Rulers Council, HRH IgwePaul Ogbodo; The Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Enugu State Chapter, Barr. Gab- Chikwe Nnamani; Director Institution of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, Prof Felix Asogwa; Representatives from The Coca-cola Foundation, The Commercial Manager Nigerian Bottling company Ltd Enugu, Demola Yusuf, representing The public Affairs and Communications Director, Ekuma Eze; OmonriawoWilson, Udo Uche; Board Members of Baywood Foundation, the Bishop (Rtd) Awgu/Aninri Diocese, Rt. Rev Dr. Emma Ugwu, The Bishop of Oji River His Grace Arch Bishop A.A Madu.
The ceremony which started with an opening prayer by Rt Rev. Dr. Emma Ugwu, also witnessed the cutting of the cake to officially launch the YISAP Project.
Baywood Foundation (BF) is a non-governmental organization, which was founded in 2009 but incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2014. The Foundation was established to support populations and communities at negative edges of household income, unemployment, healthcare access, illiteracy, marginalization, and exclusion. Baywood Foundation aims to complement government efforts through its projects in order to provide systemic solutions to the aforementioned challenges. Our goal is to have communities and at-risk populations that become self-sustaining beyond project timelines. Our strategy relies on strong partnerships with donor organizations, multilateral and international institutions.
Website: https://baywoodfoundation.org
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SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT
