With the launch of specialized training for 4,000 licensed artisans throughout the nation, the federal government of Nigeria has stood to stem the flow of foreign artisans from entering the country, mainly in the building and electrical subsector of the construction industry. This is being carried out under the directive of the National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as disclosed by the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna at an organized event.
Prof. Haruna made the announcement on Monday during the NASENI skill acquisition training and youth empowerment on “Modern Techniques of Electrical Installation and Maintenance” in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun state. Over one hundred state-wide licensed electricians were chosen to take part in the five-day course. Work equipment and other training kits were provided to the participants during the training led by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who is responsible for educating others to instruct others in electrical installations.
The training will take place throughout all 36 states, FCT.
Representing the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman, Ibrahim Baba Dauda, the Coordinating Director of Finance, emphasized that the initiative is being implemented per President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive. NASENI launched the training program to provide young people with the necessary skills and knowledge needed in order to increase the number of available jobs and the number of opportunities for self-employment. The training, he said, will take place throughout all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Modern technology methods would also be used to empower the country’s existing skilled personnel, allowing them to enhance their skills and expertise.
He claims that the scheme has already been rolled out over many states in Nigeria, including Katsina, Nassarawa, Borno, Cross River, and Oyo. As per the president’s order, he said, the agency would make sure the show is broadcast nationally. He noted that the agency will ensure that the program circulates across the country as directed by the president. No fewer than 100 youths would be selected throughout the states and be empowered with the necessary skills so as to become a trainer to train other people in these modern ways of doing things.
Majority of Nigerian artisans lack the necessary abilities.
One of NASENI’s key goals, according to Prof. Haruna, is to slow the influx of foreign artisans by helping natives acquire these skills. He said that the majority of Nigerian artisans lack the necessary abilities to succeed in the highly competitive profession, explaining why their work is not in great demand. But nonetheless, with the help of the skill training, Nigerians will get acquainted with cutting-edge technology in electrical installation and would have the requisite competencies to tackle the problems.
National Vice President of the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) Yinka Akintomide spoke at the occasion and urged the trainees to put the information and resources provided to good use. The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, a former deputy governor in Ogun state, Mrs. Salmot Badru, and a former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Representatives, Suraj Adekunbi, all lamented the lack of trained artisans in the country and encouraged the trainees to take advantage of the 5-day training.
Agency remained a genuine means of producing skilled professionals.
Senator Adeola, for his part, stressed the training’s purpose, saying it was designed to increase young participation and proficiency in the vital energy sector of the Nigerian economy. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Kayode Odunaro, Senator Adeola reaffirmed that the presidential initiative through NASENI remained a genuine means of producing a pool of skilled professionals who would be gainfully employed and who would also create potentials to equally generate employment for others in due course.
Related Link
NASENI: Website
