From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa State Government says it will enroll unemployed graduates in its institute of Technical Education situated in Lafia for skills and vocational training programmes as encouragement towards self reliance.
Governor Abdullahi Sule stated this recently during the Year 2020 Youth Summit held in commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day , held in Lafia.
The summit which was organised by ActionAid Nigeria ( AAN) in Partnership with Global Peace Development ( GPD) and Beacon Youth Initiative (BYI) is funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund ( GCERF).
Governor Sule while declaring the event open said his administration was committed to creating employment opportunities for the youths through skills and vocational training programmes.
According to him, government has committed enormous resources towards the completion of Lafia Institute of Technical Education to enhance the development of science and technology for the youth in the state.
“It is important for our youths in the state to understand the essence of the creation of the Institute. Students will be admitted based on valid requirements. People with various degrees but unable to find jobs can also come and acquire skills in areas such as electrical installation, motor mechanic, welding and fabrication, building, agricultural mechanisation, tailoring among others.
“Accordingly, young men and women will have the opportunities to acquire skills in order to engage them in profitable ventures with the view to reducing poverty and creating wealth in consonance with economic empowerment initiative.
“The programme would avail young men and women the opportunities to acquire skills in order to engage themselves in profitable ventures thereby reducing poverty and creating wealth in consonance with our economic empowerment initiative.
“The World International Youth Day is celebrated every 12th of August annually in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolution which seeks to organise and recognise the outstanding youths in various spheres of human endeavours.
“It is meant at engaging them in meaningful ventures for social economic development of our own society,” Gov Sule stated.
The governor commended ActionAid Nigeria and her partners for organising the youth summit which according to him was a way of realising the aspirations of the youth through partnership with other Non Governmental Organisations.
He, therefore called on them to make adequate use of the privilege so as to acquire the basic skills needed for self reliance as well as to become useful in the society.
In her remark, the Country Director of AAN, Mrs Ene Obi, stressed the need to engage the youths in meaningful ventures in order to prevent them from being used as tools for violence extremism .
Mrs Ene who was represented by the Director of Finance, Mr Oluwole Elegbede, noted that COVID-19 has further increased the vulnerability of the youth as many of them who were previously employed are now out of their jobs due to the economic crisis in the country.
“This annual Youth summit in commemoration of the International Youth Day presents an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices , actions and initiatives,as well as their meaningful engagements in contributing to development while also educating them on their roles in peace building.
“I therefore call on mutual collaboration from all partners , citizens , youth groups and stakeholders to utilise this platform and see youth engagement as strong tool building a positive change in the state and ending violent extremism,” she said.
On their part, the Executive Director of GPD, Mr Ebruke Esike and that of BYI , Mr Emmanuel Okolo who spoke separately called on the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government to initiate the passage of a Youth Development Bill which will serve as a catalyst to ensure ” Youth Engagement for Global Action 2020.”
