Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, has praised Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to empower young people and support the reintegration of returned migrants following his visit to the Obasanjo Skills Acquisition and Youth Transformation Centre.
The centre, located in Newton, serves as a key hub for vocational training and youth development. It is supported by the European Union-funded Migrant Protection and Reintegration Program and implemented by the International Organization for Migration in collaboration with the National Youth Commission.
The facility offers a wide range of skills training programs tailored to equip beneficiaries with practical and employable competencies. These include cosmetology, baking, catering, tailoring, solar and electrical engineering, civil construction, ICT, photography, driving, and automobile engineering. The initiative primarily targets returned migrants, providing them with opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
During his tour of the centre, Dr. Paullier interacted with trainees and observed various training sessions. He commended the participants for their determination and resilience, noting that such initiatives reflect positive progress in youth-focused development.
“This centre is a testament to the amazing things happening in Sierra Leone,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of placing young people particularly those who have faced adversity at the center of development policies and institutions.
Also speaking during the visit, Pauline Macharia highlighted the significance of the engagement, describing it as an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the United Nations and national stakeholders. She reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment initiatives in Sierra Leone, particularly through its longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
Beneficiaries of the program shared personal testimonies about the impact of the training. One female participant enrolled in driving courses described the program as life-changing, stating that it had provided her with “lifetime skills” and a pathway toward financial independence.
National Youth Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai underscored the broader significance of the centre, describing it as more than just a training facility. According to him, it represents a space for transformation, resilience, and innovation among young people.
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