By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Some 40,000 trainees of N-Build Batch C-1, under the N-Power of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) across the country, have graduated after a three-month training programme to build their skills in artisanship.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, at the closing ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, expressed delight and satisfaction with the programme.
According to her, it is a landmark occasion to economically advance the living standard of young unemployed Nigerians by empowering them to become tomorrow’s employers of labour.
“It is worthy to note that what is happening in FOCI Skills Training Centre here in Abuja today, is also taking place in 693 Training Centres, across the six geo-political zones in the country. Where 40,000 Trainees in the Batch C1 of the N-Build Programme have been trained.
“The N-Power Build is a three-month in-centre training programme that is designed to build competence and capacity in highly-demanding technical and vocational skills.
“The programme provides a fully funded three-month In-centre Technical and Vocational Training by 693 Training Service Providers across the 36 States and the FCT through different National Skills Councils leading to a six-month apprenticeship programme.
“Also, a monthly stipends will be provided to trainees for nine months while starter parks will be provided after the in-centre training.
“The skills include Automobile, Agric. Tech, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation, Masonry and Tiling, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Hospitality, comprising; Baking and Confectionery; Cooking and Catering; House-keeping and Mixology,” Farouq said.
She explained that the event is a clear demonstration of her Ministry’s commitment to collectively address youth unemployment in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s deliberate efforts to empower Nigerian youths and to reduce poverty in the nation.
Faroug further stated that N-Power is one of the key programmes under the NSIP that have impacted positively on the lives of vulnerable youths in Nigeria, including persons with disability and forcibly displaced persons.
The Minister noted that the Federal Government has made an investment on each of the trainees in the listed trades by acquiring and providing for each of them, the required Tool Kits, Safety Gears and Training Consumables.
According to her, this is to enable them become and operate as skilled professional artisans/technicians, stressing that significant effort and resources have been invested in the N-Build programme.
Also Speaking, Mrs Olubunmi Adekoje, the Director-General of Federation of. Construction Industry (FOCI), said the federation was delighted to participate in the Ministry’s programme.
She said the training was run by international professionals and the focus was construction skills.
“We are also partnering with GIZ, a German organisation, in the training programmes and we will continue to partner with the Ministry to train more”.
Similarly, the Team Lead of N-Power, Mr Nsikak Okon, said the trainees would be awarded certificates, adding that they were of good character during the sessions.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr John Gullon, thanked Buhari and Faouq for the passion to address poverty among the youths.
The beneficiary confessed that he learnt a lot and has gain capacity in carpentry to employ others and earn a living.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that high point of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduating trainees.
The event attracted members of Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria and many other stakeholders.
NAN also reports that Farouq also attended another closing ceremony at the Industrial Training Fund Model Skill Centre where no fewer than 80 trainees were awarded certificates after the three-month training on hospitality, tourism, confectionary and others. (NAN