x

Jonathan, Diri, Cautions Youths Against Sale Of Starter Packs as NASENI begins Training in Bayelsa

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, have cautioned trainees taking part in the four-day skills acquisition training programme organized by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) not to sell off their starter packs at the end of the exercise.

The two leaders, who made the call at the opening ceremony of the training programme holding at the Federal University, Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, noted that the success of the programme largely depends on the attitude of the beneficiaries.

Speaking as special guest at the event, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his approval for the training exercise which draws participants from all the three senatorial districts in the state.

While calling on NASENI and the Local Content Board to establish a functional institute in Bayelsa for quality training in the oil and gas and other critical areas, the former President stressed that vocational skills training was the way to go for Nigeria to meet its industrial development target.

He, however, sounded a note of warning that the objective of NASENI would be defeated if the trainees sell off their working materials procured for them.

Dr Jonathan said: “While I join others to call on NASENI to increase the number of trainees, I’m mindful and more interested in the quality of the training.

“I’m happy to hear from the CEO of NASENI that they are planning to set up an Oil and Gas Engineering Materials Development Institute in Bayelsa State.

” So, now that President Buhari has mandated me to coordinate your (NASENI) activities, I urge the two of you (NASENI and NCDMB) to work together to make sure that one excellent and functional training centre is built in Bayelsa.

“That will help to churn out our youth every one or two years so that after a period of 5 to 10 years, we will have enough people to work in the industrial parks that are being built.”

On his part, Governor Douye Diri urged governments at all levels to strive to build a massive pool of highly skilled manpower to drive the nation’s industrial development.

Governor Diri who spoke at the event through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed that his administration had trained thousands of youths through its skills acquisition and training programme in the state so far.

The Bayelsa helmsman, who called on the beneficiaries to take the training seriously, tasked NASENI to follow up and track the beneficiaries to ensure that the starter packs that would be given out did not end in markets.

He commended the NASENI for putting up the four-day specialized youth training and empowerment programme together in the state, and advised the Agency to partner the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on capacity-building programmes for youths.

His words: “A foolish man sells his seed; a reasonable man eats his seed, while the wise man plants his seeds. You are here today with a seed in your hand.

“If you plant this seed, it will germinate, bear fruits and you will become a seller of fruits. If you eat this seed, your stomach will be full but after some time, you will visit the toilet and that will be the end of it.

“If you sell it, you will get some money and spend and that will be the end, and you will never be a seller of fruits. So, you need to know what you are here for.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engineer Simbi Wabote, remarked that specialized youth training was critical to the industrial development of the country.

Describing the theme of the training programme, “Modern Methods of Electrical Installations and Maintenance” as apt, Wabote commended the NASENI for the capacity-building exercise aimed at promoting economic development through science, technology and engineering.

In her welcome address, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the NASENI, Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, said the first phase of the programme was aimed at training 100 Bayelsa youths, as a step towards the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Mrs. Nonyem, who expressed gratitude to former President Goodluck Jonathan for his massive support for the Agency while in office, urged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the expensive tools that would be given to them as start-up enablers.

The Director General, Douye Diri Economic Empowerment Programme, (DDEEP), Mrs Charity Godwin, and the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Otuoke, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, represented by the Deputy VC, Prof Chris Onyema, also delivered goodwill messages at the programme.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Chinese Embassy Probes Alleged Abandonment of Nigerian Miners in CAR

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has launched an investigation...

APC’s Future Bright Under Nentawe’s Leadership — Daduut

By Israel Adamu, Jos Senator Nora Ladi Daduut has congratulated...

Gunmen Open Fire in Plateau, Women and Children Among 14 Killed

By Israel Adamu, Jos At least 14 persons have been...

Aminu Yusha’u Appointed Coordinator of Kano-ACReSAL, Earns World Bank Endorsement

By Jabiru Hassan The World Bank has officially endorsed the...

Double Tragedy in Kaduna: Child Thrown Into Well, Father Slumps and Dies

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Tragedy struck in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna...

From Minister to Party Leader: Plateau Rejoices Over Yilwatda’s APC Chairmanship

By Israel Adamu, Jos Residents of Jos, the Plateau State...

No Hiding Place for Criminals’: Bayelsa Foils High-Profile Abduction

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Police Command has...

WAFCON Glory Awaits! Bayelsa Governor Sends Powerful Message to Super Falcons

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri,...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img