NO fewer than 431 returned migrants in Edo have so far benefitted from the support programmes provided by Genius Hub Global Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the state.
Mrs Isimeme Whyte, Managing Director of the organisation, disclosed on Thursday in Benin, while briefing the media on the achievements of the organisation in 2021.
Whyte said that the support programmes include rehabilitation as well as various forms of skills support.
She also disclosed that 761 persons have been trained by the organisation on life and vocational skills management.
She explained that the NGO was a human capital development centre, which was upgraded within the year from just being a business name to a limited liability company.
She also disclosed that within the period under review, the organisation had expanded to two other states Lagos and Kano.
She said these expansions were strategic, particularly in view of the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration of the NGO schedule.
She said that within the period under review, no fewer than 820 students in various schools across the state were reached via the Genius Hub school club, while 21 victims of gender based violence were rescued, trained and supported.
“5,020 persons were also engaged in community outreach to create awareness about social vices in the society, with a view to discourage people especially the youths from indulging in them.
“We also reached 55 communities across 25 local government areas across the country. This is because Genius Hub create a system that foster growth, business sustainability and networking.
“I make bold to also tell you that within the period under review, the hub also produced seven family movies, which trickle down to create about 300 jobs,” Whyte said.
She disclosed that Genius Hub Global Initiative was NABTEB certified, and a total of 31 skills were provided by the organisation.
She also disclosed that no fewer than 8,500 persons have been trained by the NGO since its inception more than four years ago, adding that of the figure more than 50 per cent now have their own shops as they were provided with starters pack at the end of their trainings.
She however disclosed that the hub had a projection to train not less than 10,000 persons in 2022.
“In view of this, we will be expanding to include e-learning platform in our programme.
“We will be open to more school, more volunteers to mentor our school children, and we will also inaugurate an impact story platform for people with impactful stories to tell.
“This will be with a view to inspire others,” she said.
She however said that the major challenge faced by the organisation was funding, adding that this was in spite of funding and grants accessed by the organisation from donor organisations.
