DPAT Foundation Kicks Off Two-Week Skills Acquisition Training Programme
By Ahiaba Douglas
In a renewed push to promote economic self-reliance and reduce unemployment in Nigeria, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the DPAT Foundation, in collaboration with the Abuja Enterprise Agency, has commenced its 2026/2027 Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Programme.
The flag-off ceremony, themed “Building Skills, Creating Livelihoods,” was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Adult Education Hall, Mass Agency, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT. The event attracted key stakeholders and development partners, including representatives from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), among others.
Also in attendance was Rufus Ebegba, former Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency and current Chairman of the FCT Police Community Relations Committee, described as a Friend of the Foundation.
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In her welcome address, the President and Founder of DPAT Foundation, Elder Patience Ardey, JP, disclosed that the two-week training programme will benefit 600 participants, particularly women and youth. According to her, trainees will receive hands-on instruction in various vocational and entrepreneurship skills across the six Area Councils of the FCT, with 100 participants drawn from each Area Council, beginning with Gwagwalada Area Council.
She emphasized that the initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and sustainable livelihood creation within the FCT and across Nigeria.
“When women and youth are equipped with the right skills and support, they do not only change their own lives; they uplift families, strengthen communities, and contribute to national development,” she stated.
While appreciating the contributions of partners, Ardey particularly acknowledged the Foundation’s longstanding collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment, noting that it has significantly strengthened the organisation’s impact.
In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, represented by the Chief Training Officer, Dr. Hassan Abdulkareem, commended the DPAT Foundation for its role in unemployment reduction and economic empowerment through skills acquisition.
He further noted that the partnership between the NDE and the Foundation remains essential, as the Foundation’s initiatives complement and align with the core mandate of the agency.
Similarly, the Aguma of Bassa in Gwagwalada, represented by Alhaji Idris Muhammed, Sarki Sana Gwagwalada, praised the Foundation for what he described as life-transforming interventions within his domain. He urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Other partners who delivered goodwill messages included representatives of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) and the Cooperative Department, Federal Capital Territory.
The 2026/2027 programme is expected to further strengthen efforts toward building practical skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and expanding economic opportunities for women and youth in the FCT.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 15TH 2026)
