Nigeria is now the fifth African country to launch Skill
Initiative programme in partnership with NEPAD Agency, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The Skill Initiative, NaijaAgroNet gathered, has the goal to
strengthen the occupational prospects of young people, especially for women and
youth from poor areas.
Other initial implementing countries include Cameroon, Kenya,
South Africa and Tunisia.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Federal
Government of Nigeria, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, the Permanent Secretary of
Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Roy Ugo, commended the programmatic interventions of the
NEPAD Agency on the continent, particularly in Nigeria.
Ugo also said that the Skills Initiative for Africa
programme is timely and aligns with the current administration’s Change Agenda,
to create economic opportunities in the country, especially amongst the youth.
He pledged Nigeria’s support to the programme to ensure that
it produces the desired positive effect on the employment sector.
Mrs Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, NEPAD Agency’s Director of
Programme Coordination and Implementation, informed attendees at the launch
that the programme is informed by the need to address skills gap on the
continent. In her opening remarks, she pointed out that there is a disconnection
between education, training systems and the labour market.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon the continent to think
differently and come up with skill sets that could fill the employment
opportunities, create entrepreneurs, as well as provide mentorship to trainees,
so that the can effectively succeed in businesses after vocational training,”
Mrs Fotabong said.
The launch of the Skills Initiative for Africa programme was
co-hosted by NEPAD Nigeria under the leadership of Hon (Princess) Gloria
Akobundu, the National Coordinator/ CEO of NEPAD Nigeria.
Speaking, Princess Akobundu explained that the Skills
Initiative for Africa presents an opportunity for the missing middle of society
to actively engage in the economic activity of the country, through gainful
employment and entrepreneurship. She called on Nigerian youths to make good use
of the opportunity provided by the initiative.
The launch, which was followed by a consultative workshop to
identify the country’s priority for the programme, was attended by various
stakeholders from both private and public sectors, including: Nigerian high
level dignitaries, senators, members of the National Assembly, as well as
members of the diplomatic corps and civil society organisations.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology
No comments:
Post a Comment
Share ur views here