…Commends Fides Media for Assistance
By Fr Constantine Echichechi Okoli
In an age when Tech is culture, the Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) of Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Okpuno, led by Mr. Andrew Okeke, have concluded a 3-month intensive digital skill acquisition programme for her members and other interested individuals.
The programme which started on August 21, 2024 and ended on November 30, 2024 with the theme: “YCP CHOOSE A SKILL INITIATIVE”, took place at Obiefuna Auditorium at Fides Media, Okpuno, with Fides Media providing a conducive training environment, steady power supply, free unlimited internet access and other goodies for the participants daily within the 3 months.
The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the historic programme, Mrs. Kosisochukwu Ojukwu, informed Fides that more than 100 individuals participated in the programme, with each of the participants choosing and learning from either App/Web Development, Research/Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Graphics, or Robotics/Automation.
The participants were given the opportunity to choose from their area of interest with instructors assigned to each of the courses.
The Climax of the programme was the grand finale which took place on December 6 where the participants were presented with certificates and the top three students from each skill category handsomely rewarded.
The overall best three students, Chimezie Kennedy Okoro, Adaora Adobeze and Rita Obidaju, on Sunday, December 8, each received a laptop, smartphone, and router, respectively.
Expressing gratitude to God and to individuals who supported the “YCP Choose A Skill Initiative”, the President of YCP, Mr. Andrew Okeke, thanked Fides Media, the Social Communications Outfit of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, for offering them the best platform to thrive and achieve their goal.
Joining the visibly grateful participants and benefactors of the initiative, he said, ‘We couldn’t have done so much without Fides Media.’
He was full of appreciation to the Director of Communications in the Diocese of Awka and of Fides Media, Rev. Fr. Dr. Robert Anagboso, whom, he said, was ever ready to assist them at all times without counting the cost.
Mr. Okeke explained that the kind gesture of Fides Media went a long way in showing that the Church was ever-ready to see her teeming youths find their feet in society and that YCP remained grateful for that.
Similarly, he extended his gratitude to the Director of the Retreat Center, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Okoye; the Course Adviser of the programme, Fr. Constantine Okoli; the Director of Oluebube Charity Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Ezeani; Polaris Bank; the MD of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Hon Mark Okoye; MD of Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA), Hon Ossy Onuko; the Mayor of Aguata LGA, Hon Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike; the Mayor of Dunukofia LGA, Barr. C. C. Ozumba; worshippers at the Retreat Center who single handedly sponsored some of the participants and made other provisions that made the programme to be entirely free.
For his part, the Director of Fides, Fr. Anagboso, said it was always good for companies to find a way of contributing to the well-being of society, offering Corporate Social Services.
According to him, Fides simply wanted to give back to Society and there was no better way of doing that than to support the young people who, he said, were the now of the Church and Society.
‘With the YCP “CHOOSE A SKILL INITIATIVE”, the objective of her Initiators: equipping young individuals with professional skills for advancement, has been achieved,’ Fr. Anagboso added.
