By Thompson Yamput
Jos Community Film Festival (JOCOFFEST) says 200 Plateau youths have been selected for various trainings and empowerment for self-sustenance.
Prof. Eddie Ossai, Founder and Coordinator of JOCOFFEST, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lokoja.
The founder, who is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, said the training will take place during a festival scheduled for Nov 5 and Nov 7 at Gyel Community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
Ossai explained that the initiative was geared toward taking restive youths off the streets and guaranteeing them a means of livelihood and self-reliance.
According to him, some of the youths are vulnerable tools at the beck and call of politicians and criminal-minded individuals.
“It’s unfortunate that the dreams of the average Plateau youth and the aged have been truncated.
“It is imperative, therefore, to emphasise that peace, or lack of it, is a prerequisite for stability, security and development,” he said.
He said that by allowing them access to skill acquisition, the temptations to resort to vices would be eroded, and it would help them to be more responsible youths in building their lives and homes.
Ossai said that the 200 participants would be training on various skills, including film screening/mastering, soap making, systematic technology, content creation, special effects and junior golf tournaments. NAN
