Joseph Kingston, Calabar
A non-government organisation, Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) has organised training on agribusiness for no fewer than one thousand refugees and migrants in Cross River state.
Speaking in Calabar during the training workshop on ‘Agro-business and Education Opportunities for Refugees Migrants IDPs,’ organised by the NGO, its founder, Rev. Dr Peter Obele Abue, said the training was designed to equip the refugees for self-reliance.
According to him, the training was aimed at reducing poverty and economic hardship which refugees and migrants may have found themselves and that, with the skill acquisition and capacity building training, the refugees would fend for themselves rather than stay all day long waiting for alms.
The cleric lamented how people were forced, the world over, into frustration as a result of wars, terrorism, kidnapping and general insecurity. He charged privileged Nigerians to shoulder the responsibility of being their brothers’ keepers.
“We the indigenes and host of these visitors have noticed with dismay the gory conditions the families and children of these refugees are living in, despite the great efforts by UNHCR and their willing partners.
“Nevertheless, it is obvious that these efforts need to be complemented,” Abue stated, stressing that CORAfrica, was committed to helping the vulnerable, children and communities who were in dire need of help.”
He emphasised that the workshop was a pointer to the readiness of his organisation to building a “vibrant and healthy rural communities where every child can prosper, find opportunities, grow and thrive locally.”
The cleric stressed that his organization CORAfrica, was committed to helping the vulnerable, children and communities who are in dire need of help.
In his remarks, National Programme Director. Jimoh Odunayo, said support through CORAfrica comes with community education centres and economic empowerments through micro credit facilities.