Minister tasks 50 Niger Delta youth on utilising skills

The Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Prof. Claudius Adaramola has urged 50 graduates of a skills acquisition programme to put their skills to good use to develop the region and Nigeria.

He made this call at the graduation ceremony of 50 non-militant youth in artisan/skills acquisition training in the housing sector at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji in Osun State.

Prof. Daramola stated that the training was proof of the present administration’s resolve to using the development of human capital to address unemployment as well as ensuring peace and security in the region.

“The decision to embark on the skills acquisition schemes was necessitated by the realization that the not only positively impact the lives of participant but the society also benefits from their multiplier effects.”

He stated also that the graduates of the four weeks training programme would be financially empowered to start their businesses and that the Ministry would monitor them to ensure that the resources are put to good use.

The vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sola Fajana, said the present era is that ‘of service, skills acquisition, vocational training, in addition to formal education as it will never be complete if one learns in the classroom but has not practiced.”

He also expressed his institution’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on the training of more youths of the region ‘ in the spirit of making the nation’s teeming youths become better for tomorrow’s challenge’.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Olajerinde Festus, who trained in Landscaping, said that skills and knowledge acquired will enable him be self-reliant and useful to the society.