FIC REPORT (NASARAWA STATE) – Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has presented start-up packs and an additional N100,000 each to 50 outstanding graduates of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technical Institute, Lafia, to support them in establishing businesses and becoming self-reliant.
The presentation took place at the institute in Lafia, as part of the state government’s efforts to promote technical and vocational education, youth empowerment and job creation.
Governor Sule, who personally attended the ceremony, said his decision to be present was informed by the importance he attached to the institute and the quality of the equipment provided for the beneficiaries.
He explained that the start-up packs were carefully selected to meet the specific needs of graduates in different trades, including welding, electrical installation, catering, tailoring and hairdressing.
The governor, who announced an additional N100,000 for each of the 50 beneficiaries as seed capital, said the intervention was designed to bridge the gap between acquiring vocational skills and having the resources to put them into practice.
He said his administration recognises technical and vocational education as an important instrument for reducing unemployment, alleviating poverty, strengthening local industries and promoting sustainable economic development.
According to him, the future of Nasarawa State depends largely on its ability to equip young people with relevant skills and provide opportunities for them to translate those skills into productive economic activities.
Governor Sule said the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technical Institute had continued to provide opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills in construction, fabrication, information and communication technology, agriculture, fashion design, electrical installation and other vocational trades.
He commended the management and staff of the institute for successfully conducting the training Programme and congratulated the 50 beneficiaries for distinguishing themselves through hard work and commitment.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment, maintain professional standards and manage their businesses responsibly, warning them against selling the start-up packs.
He also advised them to embrace patience, integrity, innovation and financial discipline, while taking advantage of mentorship, professional networks and digital platforms to grow their businesses.
Governor Sule further encouraged the beneficiaries to serve as ambassadors of vocational education by inspiring other young people to acquire practical skills and appreciate the dignity of productive labour.
He particularly congratulated Asma’u Adamu Amore, the institute’s overall best trainee from the Information and Communication Technology Department, who recently received national recognition under the ITF-NECA programme in Abuja for her outstanding performance.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Muhammad Habeeb Nagogo, said the presentation reflected the administration’s commitment to ensuring that young people acquire practical and marketable skills that would enable them to create wealth.
He urged the beneficiaries not to sell the equipment but to use them to establish businesses and support their families.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the institute, Dr. Esele Daniel Ewuga, said the provision of the start-up packs would address one of the major challenges confronting vocational graduates, which was the lack of tools and resources to begin practicing their trades after training.
He said the institute remained committed to providing skills that respond to industry needs and create practical pathways to employment and self-employment.
Ewuga disclosed that Asma’u Adamu Amore was recently recognised nationally following an assessment by the ITF-NECA policy board, adding that her achievement demonstrated the quality of training provided by the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a representative thanked the governor for the intervention and appealed for additional support to enable persons living with disabilities, particularly visually impaired persons, to access computer training at the institute.
He also offered to contribute his experience in computer training to support the institute’s efforts to provide vocational education for persons with visual impairment.
ARI, LIMAN AMINU
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
