Transportation ministry flags off NITT outreach centre in Kano
Established to tackle unemployment
GBEMISOLA RUKAYYA SARAKI, minister of state for transportation, has stated that the aim of establishing the Kano outreach learning centre of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology is in line with the ministry’s pursuit of policies and programmes geared at making the transport sector more benefitting to the citizens.
She made the statement during the commissioning of the NITT Kano Outreach centre at Dawakin Kudu, adding that it is a demonstration of their commitment to remain in the forefront of developing and executing transportation infrastructures, to ensure equitable distribution of opportunity for social and economic development in the country.
Commissioning of the project the minister said will assist the institute in realising one of the dreams of Kano and Jigawa states which is to bring its programmes and services close to the transport and logistic stakeholders with the aim of tackling the perceived transport knowledge gap in each state among other things.
She said the NITT learning centre will run programmes not only leading to the award of advanced professional diploma and certificates but will also provide relevant skills and knowledge that will enable Nigerians especially the youths to acquire necessary skills that will enable them to establish businesses of their own.
“This is a great opportunity which all of us must take to explore in order to address the rate of unemployment, therefore I am enjoining states governments in the North West Zone especially that of Kano and Jigawa to take the advantage of the programmes offered by the institute to develop their area of interest the Minister pointed out”.
In his Speech, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje represented by his Deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna expressed appreciation that sitting such a project in the State is highly commendable, adding that Kano is honoured for being chosen as the host State.
He further said Kano being the commercial and industrial hub of the North, the State, therefore, requires such facility to tackle the challenges of transport and logistics, as businesses are linked to intensive transportation activities.
“I am particularly interested in the skills acquisition programmes because they will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges we encountering in the country, because of that state government will support any person from the State who is interested in enrolling into the programmes offered by the institute”.
The governor assured that the state government will continue to support the centre to enable it to achieve its goals. Speaking earlier, the director-general of the NIIT, Bayero Salih Farah revealed that the Kano learning centre is equipped with State of the art facilities to enhance both theoretical and practical training of auto mechatronics, vulcanizing, welding, tricycle operation, tractor and other farm plant operation among others leading to the award of advanced professional diploma courses.