…To carter for widows, poor, others.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Building of a Dorcas Danladi Skills Acquisition Centre that will be targeting mostly the poor, widows, school dropout and other vulnerable people in the society has commenced in Kaduna by a Caleb Danladi Foundation.
This was disclosed during the groundbreaking ceremony of the centre held at Kafanchan Road, opposite primary school, Samban Gida in Kwoi, Jaba LGA of Kaduna State on weekend.
Addressing journalists during the ceremony, founder and CEO of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi Bako, explained that the centre would target mainly the less-privileged, school dropout, students, widows, youths and other vulnerable people in the society.
Named after his late younger sister, late Dorcas Danladi, who passed away about a month, Captain Danladi Bako said the dream of the late sister was to have a similar centre to be able to render help before life cut it short for her.
The founder further stated that, the Dorcas Danladi Memorial Skills Acquisition Centre is a historical project, particularly for his immediate family, the community and Caleb Danladi Foundation family entirety.
His words: “Just exactly a month today, my sister passed away. Part of her passion in life was to do something similar to skills acquisition centre where she can be able to render help, but unfortunately, life cut short for her.
“She was not able to achieve that dream, but we don’t want that dream to go in vain. So, we decided to come together to build this center in her memory,” he said.
He also said every measure has already been put in place for the sustainability of the project, in line with every NGO’s plan, even from the planning stage, and would not be a wasteful venture.
According to him, “The project is going to impact meaningfully on the entire community, local government, and the state in general,” and restated the growing focus on entrepreneurial and skills acquisition training into education curriculum nationally and internationally.
“Basically, this foundation centre is going to go far in delivering one of the key federal government plans by empowering youths and women, in particular, with skills needed in 21st Century to carter for themselves, the community development and development goals…
“The poor performance of the recent JAMB results is not because they are not knowledgeable but because of the lack of actual technical skills to be able to use computer or even touch it before.
“There will be a dedicated computer centre to carter for the youths, especially in areas of JAMB, talent education acquisition.
“Even though, the centre will provide training free-of-charge, but for the women trained at centre without equipment will be assisted with some in a discounted fee, with the centre when putting it into profitable uses, as part of the sustainability plans,” he said.
He also said there are plans to build similar ones in Kagoma chiefdom and other local government areas in northern parts of Kaduna State as well as other parts of Jaba LGAs.
“The centre will also come with borehole in view of the problem of pipe-born water because of water scarcity in the community, for the memory of late Dorcas. The building of/and commissioning of the project will be done by December 2024, to commence operations and rendering service, by His Grace.
Even though the resources have been secured for building and completion of the project by founder personally, according to him, it was, however, gathered that contributions of materials by volunteers in terms of sand has been donated by spirited individuals.
The founder promised to collaborate with government and other international agencies in future for training, after the foundation has been laid and work completed.
The ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including the Anglican Bishop of Kwoi Diocese, the District Head of Barde Chiefdom, the District Head of Nok, the Chairman of the JNI, the Paramount Rulers of Samban Gida, and the Chairman and Secretary of Kwoi DCC.
Each guest delivered heartfelt goodwill messages, expressing their support for the Memorial Center and its potential to uplift the community.