New charity Above All Things Feed the Nation to launch on the 25th June

NON-governmental organisation Above All Things Feed the Nation (AATFTN) founded to help equip Nigerians in the UK with vocational skills is to be formally launched in London on Sunday 25th June 2017.

Founded by young entrepreneur Adekunle Adesanya, ATTTFN is a charity that seeks to train both young and old Nigerians, equipping them with the necessary skills to contribute to society. For as little as £100 per course, the charity sends interested Nigerians to universities, polytechnics and colleges across the UK, where they are trained in a variety of ways.

Mr Adesanya said: "We spotted a huge skills gap in the market so decided to fill it by getting colleges around the country to train Nigerians. Some courses cost no more than £100 and people are taught a variety of skills including photography, catering, acting, fashion design, etc, which they can then take back to Nigeria with them if they want to.

"Our goal is to ensure that no one who wants to be trained is denied the opportunity, so we will pay for the training and the colleges will ensure our people are equipped with the necessary skills. We will formally launch the charity on the 25th June at Scrattons Social Club & Community Hall, Morrison Rd, Barking IG11 0UAfrom 4pm to 10pm

Olusegun Macaulay, the regional director of Airtel Communication Nigeria, added: "This is a very innovative idea as it serves the twin goal of making our people employable within the UK and equipping them with the skills to take back to Nigeria. If for instance someone is trained to evaluate property or taught several building skills, that kind of person would be handy to us, as we could contract them to do some of our work at Airtel communication."

Victor Kolade, the managing director of Attop Group Recruitment Consultancy has been a key factor in enabling those who have been trained in building and construction into paid employment.

David Smith, the chairman of the British African Business Alliance said: "One of the best ways the diaspora can help Africa is to take skills back and establish small enterprises. A lot of people think that investment by its very nature has to be big but on the contrary, it is small firms employing probably no more than five people that offers an immediate solution to unemployment.

"If for instance a person is trained in the UK on courier delivery, they can take this skill set back and use it to train Okada riders in Abuja. ATTTFN offers an innovative solution to the twin problem of inadequate skills among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK and job creation back in Nigeria."

According to Mr Adesanya, several colleges will be invited to attend the launch and he hopes there will be a large turnout of willing Nigerian diasporans at the event. He added that the evening will be laced with a bit of entertainment and guests will also be treated to some fine African cuisine.