BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Vocational Skills Development Department of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) today flagged off three months Basic National Open Apprenticeship Training (B-NOAS) for 20 unemployed youths in Sokoto State.
Stating importance of the training in his welcome address, the Sokoto NDE Head of Vocational Skills Department, Abubakar Usman maintained that self employment is better than waiting aimlessly for white collar jobs that are not readily available.
Abubakar, who appealed to the 20 participants to see themselves as very lucky to have been chosen amongst several qualified persons, urged them to put in their best while the training last, adding that they will be paid stipend and certificate at the end of the training period.
In his advise to the trainees, representative of the VSD Director in Abuja, Malam Mohammed Mohammed, said the 3 months training if taken with all sense of seriousness will not just serve as the basic entry level for them but also make them fully grounded in the skill.
“”Things are getting difficult by the day in Nigeria, hence, the need for unemployed Nigerians to wake up and seek self employment through skills and vocations.
“”This is why the Vocational Skills Development Department (VSD) of the NDE is consistently in the watch out for new development. But you must also note that there are other skills such as discipline, dedication, financial management mentality, communication, decision making, and self development which covers daily self evaluation that you just possess to be successful'”. Mohammed advised.
Delivering speech on behalf of the Director General of the National National Directorate of Employment, Malam Abubakar Nuhu Fipko, the Sokoto State Coordinator of the NDE, Abdulkarim Yahaya Sirika said the 20 participants will be trained on Digital and Domestic Skills such as Graphic Design and Beauty Therapy.
He also informed that the training would make participants active contributors to the development of Nigeria’s economy.
Continuing, Sirika said B-NOAS has the potential of reducing rural-urban migration, breeds spirit of self reliance and create pool of artisans deeded in the country and beyond.
Sirika further noted that, such skills would help reduce anti-social vices, banditry, drug addictions, prostitution, armed robbery and kidnapping amongst jobless youths and also help boost community economy.
To the female participants, the state coordinator of NDE, advised them to take skills seriously adding that men get easily fed up with women who do not contribute anything to their families.
In a goodwill message, Suleiman Kangiwa said no country become advanced through white collar job but by skills and technological developments.
Responding to the training, one of the trainees, Malama Zainab Mattawale, who spoke on behalf of others, said they would put in their best, assuring that, in no distance time, they would also step down the skills acquired.
Some of the trainees also decried high cost of living and hike in transportation caused by recent increment in fuel prices as a likely barrier to their expected punctuality.
They therefore appealed to the Federal Government through the NDE to see to the possibility of reducing the price of PMS and instantly making the products readily available.
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