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From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
A Nonprofit Organization, Maria Touch of Care (MTC Foundation) has commenced the training of 50 Benue youths, male and female in a skills acquisition.
The free training is implemented under its “Empowering the Youth: Bridging the Skill Gap” project and targeting 14 youths in its first phase to train them in pastry and soap making.
Speaking during the project start-up and onboarding meeting with the trainees in Makurdi on Monday, October 13, 2025, the Organizational Manager, Grace Tyowua, said Maria Touch of Care Foundation (MTC Foundation), a woman-led nonprofit humanitarian and development organization, was established in 2017 by Mrs Maria Onah, a Benue enterpreneur, to work on the frontlines of crisis response, poverty alleviation, education, gender and human rights and empowerment.
According to her “The Foundation is dedicated to creating a world where all individuals can thrive and live dignified lives, with a particular emphasis on advancing the rights and well-being of women, girls, children and other marginalized.
Speaking on the project overview, the Project Lead and Programme Personnel, Emmanuella Tarzaan explained that the MTC Skills Acquisition Program 1.0 is designed to empower young people aged 16 to 25 with valuable, income-generating skills that foster social, financial, and mental growth.
Tarzaan said “Through this initiative, we aim to lay a strong foundation for continuous learning and development by equipping participants with practical skills that can lead to self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
“The program primarily targets youths aged 16–25, particularly out-of-school or secondary school leavers, with the goal of engaging them meaningfully and steering them away from idleness, deprivation, social vices, and vulnerability to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).”
She disclosed that beyond skill training, participants will engage in goal-setting sessions focused on business development, culminating in an end-of-year exhibition where they will showcase their products and innovations. As ambassador of MTC Foundation, they would also be required to train other youths in the future.
To further sustain their progress, she said outstanding participants will receive starter kits to help them launch their own ventures and continue their journey toward economic independence.
Earlier, the Communications Manager MTC Foundation, Mr Linus Egwu said the organization is envisioned to build a world where vulnerable groups especially women and children thrive in dignity free from discrimination and deprivation.
Egwu said MTC Foundation carries out humanitarian programme interventions in several sectors including health and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education and Empowerment Relief and humanitarian Aid as well as Gender and Human Rights.
Some of the trainees, Phoebe Wayas, Hyacinth Iorhemba, Okefe Onah, Iverem Victoria appreciated the foundation for the training and pledged to make good use of the opportunity.
