The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has graduated 62 youths including 19 women trained on wood vocation under its community based reintegration programme in Edo state.

The IOM Deputy Director General, Ugochi Daniels said the training was carried out under IOM’s Nigeria: Promoting Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood for Returned Migrants and Unemployed youths.

Daniels said the project set up a multipurpose vocational skills training facility in collaboration with Nat Limited and Edojobs to assist returned migrants within their community to have access to socio economic opportunities.

“The importance of vocational training cannot be overstated, especially in Nigeria where unemployment among the young people is high.

“Vocational training provides practical skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to the workplace, making graduate of such programme highly employable and ultimately addressing the key drivers of irregular migration.

“Edo state has a history of woodwork artistry and this training leveraged on that to promote a blend of learning the wood trade and exposing them to opportunities that are bound within the space.

Esther Asemota, representing her father and CEO of NAT limited, Tommy Asemota, said the partnership with IOM has offered the company a new lease of life.

Some of the beneficiaries thanked IOM for the opportunity and promised to make good use the knowledge learnt.

Highpoints of the event was the presentation of certificates and starter packs containing carpentry tools including generating set to all 62 carpenters.