The executive vice chairman/chief executive officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s focus on job creation and employment generation in the Renewed Hope Agenda, even as NASENI, at the weekend, empowered 200 Imo State youths in modern Electrical Installations and Maintenance.
Mr Halilu said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government has inspired NASENI to embark on training of 200 young individuals from Imo State who benefited from the five-day comprehensive training in the special vocation of electrical installation and maintenance, which began on Monday and was concluded on Saturday 28th October, 2023.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the NASENI Skill Acquisition Training & Youth Empowerment programme, held at the Rockview Hotel located at Okigwe road Owerri, Imo State, he said NASENI took the participants through access to capacity enhancement modules in modern electrical installation and maintenance and advanced training tools like multimeter testers and cordless drilling machines, aimed at equipping them with necessary skills and knowledge to undertake electrical installation and maintenance with enhanced proficiency.
According to Halilu “in the 21st century, the significance and value of technical and vocational skills cannot be overemphasised, especially in a developing country like ours. The economic opportunities are limitless, for those who realize the value and commit themselves to learning and re-learning”
Halilu said further “More so President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government’s focus on job creation and youth development aligns perfectly with the goals of NASENI and the program. As a federal agency, he explained, NASENI remains steadfast in its commitment to realising the renewed hope agenda and opportunity for the people”. He recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda which identifies crucial sectors for economic development: Food Security, Poverty Alleviation, Economic Growth & Job Creation, Access to Capital & Consumer Credit, Inclusivity,Improved Security, a Fair Playing Field & Rule of Law, and Fighting Corruption.
The Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma joined in praising the President for focusing on critical issues of job creation and youths’ empowerment especially at this time when the nation is going through a difficult economic phase. He said “youth empowerment and giving fresh skills to citizens to cope with new trends in service delivery in their various vocations is the only measure to keep them in their jobs and make them relevant”.
The Governor said he is grateful to President Tinubu for considering Imo State’s citizens in the implementation of the Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programme. He said he felt fulfilled each time he is able to put smiles on the faces of the youths in the State because they are the future of the State. He said he believed that this initiative by NASENI has the potential not only to empower the youths but to create wealth and to chat a viable economic future for the participating youths.
Imo State, he said, is the only place where NASENI has empowered about 200 youths. For other States, he said usually 100 participants were selected.
The Governor announced a cash donation of N100,000 to each of the participant, in addition to the N20,000 for transportation which was given to them by NASENI, as start off fund as they move into practicing of modern Electrical Installation and Maintenance.
The NASENI boss used the opportunity of the closing ceremony to hand over to 300 vulnerable women in the State the NASENI Save 80 Efficient Cook Stove.
He charged beneficiaries, to put this new expertise to diligent use. He admonished them “now that you have acquired these new skills, they belong to you, and only you can decide whether you will use them productively or not. What is clear is that you now have in your hands the power to create economic opportunities for yourselves, and even for others. As you grow and expand in your line of work, you will be able to train, mentor and hire other people, and extend the circle of prosperity and fulfilment” he said.
