The Kokodiagbene Elites Association, KEA, a community-based not for profit organisation, has empowered more than 100 indigenes of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West council area of Delta State, with a set of skills in its one week free skill acquisition training programme.

The programme which held in the Kokodiagbene community Town Hall kicked off on Monday, September 1, and closed on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Among the sets of skills that beneficiaries, who were mostly students and non-students alike, were trained on, include catering, cake baking, pastries and snacks (meat pie, doughnut, chin-chin, pizza, shawarma, chapman etc); soap production and anti-septics/insecticides (liquid soap, dettol, Izal, bleach etc); makeup and gele (bridal makeup, day to day makeup, gele tying etc); barbing and hair styling.

Participants at the training showcased their handwork and expressed their gratitude to the KEA and its chairman, Engr. Peter Ekpetipu, for the opportunity offered them to be empowered with practical knowledge.

Mr. Rufus Ebikeme, speaking on behalf of the KEA chairman, disclosed that the skill acquisition training programme was aimed at engaging students and non-students alike during the holiday season.

He said, "The purpose of this training is to keep the students busy, those on holiday that were idle in the community. In order to occupy them, we came up with this skill acquisition training idea for them to learn a new skill on specific areas, like four areas.

"If we keep them busy before the resumption of school, it will help them in their daily activities and lives too as they will be productive rather than just roaming around the community doing nothing," he added.

He also revealed that the skill acquisition training scheme, which was sponsored by the KEA, will continue subsequently with more skill sets added to the list of skills for future acquisition training programme.

The KEA has been at the forefront in spearheading innovative ways to improve learning in the riverine areas and has so far embarked on impactful initiatives such training teachers with modern training techniques aimed at improving learning in the coastal areas that are bedeviled with teaching challenges.

The KEA was established with the core values that encompass improving the quality of education, community health care services, enhancing human capital development, providing environmental conservation and community peace building awareness services, as well as promoting peaceful coexistence within and beyond the community.

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