By Matthew Okoata
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Developmet, has provided starter packs for the beneficiaries of N-Skills in South-South Geo-politics zone of the Nigeria.
The event which took place at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, after six weeks of intensive training, had participants drawn from all the six states of the region.
The Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, represented by Mr. Ochogodo Suleiman, stated that the N-Skills was introduced in 2020 as part of restructuring mechanism after the approval from President Muhammadu Buhari with the aim to impact positively on the economy thereby contributing to the goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians off poverty line in 10 years.
Sadiya Farouq disclosed that the N-Skills was based on certification system and accreditation of practical training.
” This is provided through informal apprenticeship system anchored by master Craft Persons (MCP) and the formal training system including using the Community Skills Development Centres(COSDECs) in many States,” she added.
She revealed that the programme was set up to capture the marginalised and the disadvantaged population of those with little or no education.
She recalled that in 2021, a total of 6,475 youths from across the 36 states and FCT were selected for training on smart phone repairs, and that under the pilot 2, 23,991 beneficiaries were onboarded for the training of 11 different skills (trade), including Carpentry, Shoe Making, Leather Works, Smart Devices, Agency Banking, Tailoring, Plumbing and Piping, Baking and Cosmetology, Fish Farming and Jewelry Making, Wire Works as well as Embroidery.
She charged the beneficiaries to take their destinies in their hands by making good use of this rare opportunity.
The Chief host, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Community Support Services, Dr. Darlington Ijeh, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the directorate,Dr. Ejiro Ogheneaga, commended the efforts of the Federal Government in training and providing starter packs for beneficiaries while using the medium to eulogise the commitment of the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in providing the enablement for NSIP to thrive in the state.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event revealed that they learnt a lot and promised to justify government’s huge investment in them by making good use of the knowledge acquired as well as the starter packs.
