OUR VISION IN NIGERIA

The Centre for Small Industry Research and Training (CENSIRT), also known as The Centre for Skill Development and Training is a non governmental, non profit making organization with the aim of addressing the problem of poverty in the communities of Ebonyi State and Nigeria. Poverty is like an elephant and to deliver the poor masses from its clutches, it must be attacked from all angles. The problem is multi-dimensional. Unfortunately, the problems of poverty do not receive adequate government attention in developing nations. The masses on their part erroneously believe that government should provide all their needs but the bitter truth is that government cannot. The value system and illiteracy pose further obstacle. Skeletal poverty reduction programmes provided by government are received with wrong motives.


THE SITUATION IN EBONYI STATE In addition to the prevailing poverty situation in Nigeria, Abakaliki and Afikpo zones that make up Ebonyi State are remotely located and the people have suffered untold deprivation and neglect since the colonial days. Over 80% of the people are illiterate peasant farmers. There is high rate of unemployment. There are no large or medium industries. The village industries which should have formed a good income base for the poor masses have died down due to neglect, obsolesce and unfavourable environment.
There are no entrepreneurial development programmes, low micro credit or other SME development programmes. About 40% of school age children have no means of going to school which informed the decision of the First Executive Governor His Excellency Dr. Sam O. Egwu to declare free and compulsory education for Primary and Secondary schools in 1999. Some positive results have been recorded from this Initiative as the present Executive Governor Chief Martin Elechi has not only sustained the free education but has gone further to re-introduce boarding schools. The creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 has thus brought a very big relief to the people.