Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged-off a nationwide community empowerment, a skill acquisition programme in science, technology, skills acquisition and renewable energy for youth and women.
The programme, championed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), was flagged off in Kano State, last Saturday.
Essence of the skill acquisition programme
It will see over 160 participants trained in solar installation and maintenance, mobile phone hardware repairs, electrical appliances and electronics repairs and maintenance across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The vice president was represented at the flagging-off by Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu (Sub-national Infrastructure), Office of the Vice President, Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu.
Shettima praised NASENI for implementing one of the key priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda which focused on job creation and equipping Nigerians with entrepreneurial skills.
“Today, NASENI is opening one of those doors. And I want you—every young person in this room—to walk through it with everything you have.
“To the young men and women here today— Learn. And apply what you have learnt.
“The government is not doing you a favour. It is making an investment—in you—because it believes the return is worth it. Do not prove that belief wrong,” he stated.
On his part, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said the programmes were designed to promote innovations for human capital development.
Akume, represented by the Director, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, added that the programmes would engender inclusive economic growth leveraging technology driven intervention, equip women and youth with relevant skills, and to expand entrepreneurship opportunities through digital learning.
He re-emphasised the commitment of the Federal Government to job creation and skills acquisition and commended NASENI for the laudable initiative.
The SGF promised to give all the necessary support for any programme designed in advancing Nigerian youths through innovations and entrepreneurship, for a knowledge-driven economy.
He urged the participants to use the potential benefits of the acquisition training programme to improve their lives, reduce redundancy and ultimately improve their standard of living.
Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said participants will receive practical training in renewable energy, welding and fabrication, mobile phone hardware repairs, food processing and packaging, and other skills that respond to today’s economy.
He said NASENI was also supporting schools with laptops and STEM innovation kits because, as he put it, innovation starts early.
“We must encourage our children to become creators of technology, not just consumers of it.
“To our beneficiaries, I have a simple message. Take this opportunity seriously, the future belongs to people with skills.
“The knowledge you gain here can create businesses, support families, employ others, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth,” Halilu added.
Goodwill messages came from Kano State governor, Abba Ibrahim represented by Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Yusuf Ismaila Danmaraya; Chairman, Nigerian Commodity Exchange, Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar;
National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Alhajji Hamza Ibrahim Baba; Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano, Hon. Sa’adatu Salisu Yusha’u; and Dr. Gwani Farouk Umar, Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, Kano.
