By Ogalla Daniel
Kogi State Wrestling Association, through the Mariamat Orekachuyan Ibin Ibrahim Wrestling and Skills Acquisition Apprenticeship Scheme, has concluded a significant capacity-building training for young wrestlers in pastry and snack making to combat social vices and unemployment as well as foster self-reliance.

The one-day training, held at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja, empowered participants in the art of making coconut and plantain chips, chin-chin, cakes for various types of occasions, peanuts amongst others.
The resource person, Mrs Ladidi Onalo, trained the participants on the art of making pastries, cakes, snacks during the practical session.
In his charge to the young athletes, Coach Olawale Momoh, stressed the need for them to prioritise discipline in order to excel in the sport of wrestling.
He used the occasion to appreciate all stakeholders for successfully organising the capacity building training workshop and urged the participants to be dedicated, committed, and to take full advantage of the knowledge acquired in order to maximize the benefits of the training.
On his part, Coach Ologunja Ojo John, said the skill acquisition training was designed to take the youths through the process of gaining practical abilities and knowledge in order to prepare them for entrepreneurship especially with the rising unemployment and social vices.
This initiative highlights the commitment of Kogi Wrestling Association towards equipping youths with essential pastries and cake making skills to reduce unemployment in the society.
According to organisers, the event would help create awareness and give the participants a sense of belonging among their pear groups while at the same time empowering them to be self-reliant, bold and independent minded.
The training was also introduced to assist youths embrace vocational skills acquisition as well as help them discover and nurture such skills.
It is expected that when fully operational, owners of some of these small business outlets would help boost the internally generated revenue of the state through taxes.

