May 07, (THEWILL) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has kicked off an Education Fair for at least 6,000 members and non-members of the church.
The fair, which is one of the empowerment programmes of the church aims to expose members to some basic skills that can help them become self reliant in their various undertakings.
This is consistent with the Church’s strong belief in education which it says is a commandment from God to man and is obligatory.
The fair also aims to teach members the principles of work as it also believes is essential to man’s eternal progression and will help people understand the heavenly father and his mission better.
Speaking during the flag off of the fair in Calabar, Alex Nkoro, the Calabar Nigeria Stake President disclosed that “the essence is for us to educate their members and their friends on the need of a quoting education and skills.
“For them to acquire education, we have invite specialists from Ghana, Lagos and outside the continent to help people become self reliant both spiritually and temporarily”, he said.
Giving some insight into the fair, he said the package includes “emotional resilience classes where they can learn how to manage their emotions so they can be mentally sound in the things they do.
“We also have Seminary and Institute which boils down to spiritual self reliance where they learn the gospel of Jesus Christ and other programmes.
“Others has to do with skills acquisition like baking, pastry, computer repairs and maintenance, graphics and may other packages”, he said.
Ekong Akwaowo, the Calabar Nigeria North State President said the target population are members of the Calabar North Stake, Calabar Stake and Calabar South Stake and at least 6,000 are expected to have been part of the programme.
Also speaking, Samuel Ukoha, the Calabar Nigeria South Stake President said the church came up with the fair to help both members and non-members learn self reliance skills to enable them grow not just physically but spiritually.
Samuel Egbala, the permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Youths and Skills Acquisition said if there is anything we can do for our youths is skills acquisition.
He said government will continue to partner with the church in the area of skills acquisition.
On his part, Alhaji Shabaan Abdullahi, the Secretary of the Muslim Community in Cross River State said said the activity is very important for the youths and advised them always make the most of any opportunity they have to learn.
Specialists and other resource persons who graced the Education Fair includes Tamara Edi Dadson, a Family Services Specialist and Eleazor U. Ikpegbu and S&I online Department BYU, Uyo Zone Leader.
Others are Charles A. Adebayo, the Regional Welfare & Self- Reliance Manager and Brother Victor Ukorebi, the International Area Manager for Africa West of BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
Christian Onovughe, Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager, Uyo Coordinating Council and William Boakye, Perpetual Education Fund loans Specialist also participated in the fair.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
