By Uchenna Eletuo
The Caritas Nigeria, on Thursday empowered its 208 Badagry Lagos State, trainees with start up kits to begin business. 
The trainees, trained for five months in vocational skills in Hair dressing, Tailoring, Catering, Auto mechanic, Bead making, Shoe and Bag making, Carpentry and Furniture, Phone repair, Plumbing, Aluminium fabrication, Bathing, Soap making, Electrical works and Make-up.
The theme of the programme is “Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Vibrant Communities (B-SLiC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the empowerment scheme to left people out of poverty, make them self reliant and empower others in their community, is sponsored by the Conrad Hilton Foundation of U.S through the Caritas Nigeria and the Sisters of Charity.
The organisation had on Monday during the first phase of the scheme for the South Western Nigeria, empowered 207 in Ekiti, making it 415 beneficiaries.
The trainees were trained in skills that they were passionate about to encourage them sustain the drive and make good living from it and help their families out of poverty level and to make the communities vibrant economically.
The programme targeted at the poor and the vlunerable, empowered people without recourse to their religion, tribe and political inclination.
Speaking at the event, attended by traditional leaders, political leaders, and the locals, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, said that, the empowerment was to aid people make a better living by being able to fend for themselves.
The Archbishop, represented at the event, by Rev. Fr. Anibuike George, who doubles as Dean Badagry Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese, urged the recipients to be a blessing to others in the society with what they had acquired.
“Don’t despite little beging continue to learn on the job and be discipline in your conducts.
“Have faith in God, hold on to God and let your faith show in the quality of works, services and products you render to the public at moderate prices too.
“Put on the garment of worthy character, raise others around you just as you have been raised by the good works of others,” he said.
The High Priest blessed the beneficiaries and the items offered to them, saying “Go forth and be prosperous”
The General Secretary, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, said that, with the high rate of youth unemployment in the society, schemes such as this; was needed to meaningfully engage people.
According to him the Catholic Church through Caritas which is the brainchild of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, has remained a veritable vehicle to put faith to work as recorded in the scriptures.
The Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, said that, the beneficiaries were expected to establish the businesses, be resolute to sustain it with the acquired managerial skills and train others to make service and products available.
He cautioned that the items must not be sold but be put to sustainable use to prevent wants among the people.
Mr Hunye Suru-joseph, a beneficiary, said that, as a trained Auto mechanic, he would ensure he train others free of charge to enable them out of the street.
Joseph, thanked the Caritas Nigeria for blessing them with a life improved skills.
