The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer,NASENI Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu presenting Training Kit to one of the participants at the closing event in Imo State

In a renewed effort to provide jobs for Nigerian Youths, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure

(NASENI) at the weekend, empowered 200 Imo State youths on modern Electrical Installations and Maintenance

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive officer of NASENI Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu who was in Imo state said the giant step was taken as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Government.

Mr Halilu said the Agency was inspired by the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Government to embark on training of 200 young individuals from Imo State, who benefited from the 5-Day comprehensive training in the special vocation of electrical installations and maintenance. The training began on Monday and was concluded on Saturday 28th October, 2023.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the NASENI Skill Acquisition Training & Youth Empowerment programme, held at Okigwe, Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the EVC/CEO said NASENI took the participants through access to capacity enhancement modules in modern electrical installation, maintenance and advanced training tools like multi-meter testers and cordless drilling machines.

The training, Mr Halilu said was aimed at equipping the beneficiaries 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 overemphasized, 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 “Moreso 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, NASENI remains steadfast in its commitment to realizing 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 EVC/CEO expressed NASENI’s gratitude to President Tinubu for creating enabling environment for the agency to organize the training and capacity building program for the youths in Imo State.

He said it is through the President’s vision and dedication that NASENI, established in 1992, continues to drive the development of science, technology, engineering and innovation in Nigeria.

The Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma whose State’s citizens benefited from the NASENI  5-Day training programme 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 was grateful to President Tinubu and the EVC/CEO of NASENI 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 was 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.

Some of the trainees during a session of training at the event in Imo state

Imo State, he said, was the only place where NASENI has empowered about 200 youths. For other States, he said usually 100 participants were selected.

Governor Uzodinma said he was impressed that such an empowerment opportunity came during his administration of the State and under the watch of a new administration of President Tinubu.

According to him, the empowerment of youths is a priority agenda of the State, especially in innovation and digital skills to make the citizens self-reliant.

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.

To this end, the NASENI boss also used the opportunity of the closing ceremony to hand over NASENI Save 80 Efficient Cook Stove, to 300 vulnerable women in the State.

On this gesture, again, the Governor expressed his heartfelt appreciation to NASENI and the Federal Government for remembering the poor and the vulnerable women in Imo State.

On his part, Mr. Halilu appreciated the Governor for his commitment to improving the lives of the people of Imo State, and for his invaluable support for the NASENI initiative.

He said the Governor’s dedication has been instrumental in making this program a resounding success.

The 200 trainees were carefully selected from those already working in the field of Electrical Installation and Maintenance. Having completed their training, they were handed a complete set of electrical tools.

The new tools will enable them apply their newly-acquired knowledge to install electrical systems in buildings and vehicles, and to identify, rectify and mitigate electrical faults.

The EVC/CEO charged beneficiaries, to put this new expertise to diligent use; “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 fulfillment.

“For us at NASENI, we will continue to operate in full alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for new investments, jobs, skills, exports, and industrialization. We will support him to transform Nigeria into a global hub for digital and technological innovation, powered by a competent and capable workforce.” He said.