Education without skills is almost nothing, Gov Sule tells Nasarawa youths.
From Francis Nansak,Lafia
Youths in Nasarawa state have been urged to back their education with skills in order to be self employed and at same time become employers of labour.
Governor Abdullahi Sule’ of Nasarawa state made the statement on Tuesday during the official training session for 80 selected youths that was organised by the Nasarawa state Human Capital Development Office,with the Theme; Employability & Enterprenuership Programme for Nasarawa State Youths, in Lafia the state capital.
According to him ,opportunities will now be given to people in Nasarawa state based on merit and not on grounds that you are the son of this or your father is so and so person.
The governor who also urged the youth to take seriously the training,stated that the dream of his administration is more focus on developing the youth of Nasarawa state,who will not only added value to themselves but help in building Nasarawa state to an enviable global disposition.
Engineer Sule’ who thanked the consultant for considering Nasarawa state youth for the training,added that his administration gives premium attention to youth empowerment and skill acquisition that can meet global challenges through value addition in economic development of the state and the country at large
The programme consultant and Head/ Director Poise Graduates Finishing Academy, Mr Innih Ikhide,said the world today has more young people than ever before,hence the need for the skill acquisition training.
According to him, Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa account for the largest population of youths in the world,with an alarming unemployment rate.
Mr Innih Ikhide,pointed out that over 44,000 youths in Lagos and Edo have been trained and already connected with jobs opportunities.
” Our focus is to empower young people with Human resource , knowledge and skills even in ICT for technological development.
” The aim for the programme here in Nasarawa state is to bridge the gap between the government and the demands in work place” He said.
Also, Chinonso Onwunali..who is the Work in Progress Project Officer,OxFAM, said it has become imperative to ensured that skills and knowledge be inculcated as the center of encouraging youths in the country, because 60% of Nigerians are youths.
She added that the programme was initiated for youths by the youths and targets youths as participants.
According to her,since the approval of the programme,it has been working with Lagos and Edo state government for the past Four years and had also secured another extension for the next four years.
” And part of the expansion is to work with Nasarawa state to support government and youths for skill acquisition in order to seek jobs and as well create jobs opportunities for others” She added.
Earlier, the Nasarawa state focal person,Human Capital Development Office, Halima Bala Usman,said about 100 young people have been selected to be trained on skills that would create job opportunities, with the requisite skills and knowledge.