The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Technical

  • ‘Technical education key to solving unemployment’

    ‘Technical education key to solving unemployment’

    How vocational education can be used to solve the nation’s employment crisis was the focus of discussion at a seminar organised by Nigeria Vocational Association (NVA) at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Yaba, Lagos, last week.

    At the forum with the theme: Partnership in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), discussants agreed that human development and skills acquisition have the potential to create millions of jobs for youths if explored.

    NVA President, Prof Patrick Egbule, said the strategic relevance of TVET in promoting culture of skill acquisition was being recognised daily. He said partnership for development in any area of human endeavour was not new, noting that it remained the goal of many societies facing development challenges, including environmental sustainability, peace, security and economic development.

    He noted that the nation was being daily threatened by vices, such as armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption, poverty and insurgency, observing that unemployment remained the cause of the problems. He said TVET had aims to address the challenges and strengthen individuals to intensify their reach in entrepreneurship and production-based business.

    Former Registrar, National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Emeritus Professor Olu Aina, said lack of adequate funding of vocational education compounded the nation’s challenges. He said African Union, in 2006, called for constant investment in vocational education for African countries to combat poverty and give opportunities to the youth.

    He said countries could achieve this by partnering with private sector to boost technical education, which, he said, would train youths in relevant skills and upgrade their competence.

    The NABTEB Registrar, Dr Aworanti Olatunde, said public-private partnership in technical and vocational training would make a huge difference in job creation. He said there is no nation that could achieve development without skilled workforce, noting that there is the need for effective collaboration among stakeholders to change the youth orientation.

    YABATECH Rector, Dr Margaret Ladipo, said vocational training was part of national development strategies in many countries, because of its impact on productivity and economic growth. She emphasised that no nation could grow without well-equipped technical and vocational institutions to train youths in practical skills that would lead to economic growth.

    The Chairman, Organising Committee, Mr Demola Oladipo, said government should take opportunity of the event to increase its investment in technical education. Highlight of the event included presentation of award and confirmation of Dr Francis Aghedo, Chairman ITOTEC Group of Companies, as fellow of the body.

     

  • Eunisell displays technical competence

    Africa oil and gas firm, Eunisell has restated its commitment to support local content in the oil and gas industry, particularly among marginal field operators in the country, with a view to early production from oil and gas marginal fields.

    In an interaction during a technical session at the Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, the General Manager of the company, Engr. Patrick O’Callaghan stated that the changing times in the oil and gas industry now requires companies to embrace partnership, and innovation, if they must stay profitable.

    “The dwindling oil price is a major topic here today, companies are cutting cost and so the modus operandi has to change in many ways as finance, cash flow, releasing value from stranded assets, have become some of major concerns of operators today.  This is one of the reasons we are at the conference and exhibition to show stakeholders our central production facility which was built for Network exploration and production in record time of 90 days from which significant quantities of oil from the field have been produced within the last five  months,” he said.

    He stated that a combination of modular construction processes and lease, operate, and own agreement has been a good choice for the field owner who is reaping the benefits of a producing asset while spreading the capital costs required.

    “During the option period, the operator enjoys a reliable operation, gains valuable insight into his production profile, and can effectively manage his cost of managing, operating, and running the facility. This provides the opportunity to build equity that can be invested in adding additional assets,” he said. O’Callaghan added that about a month ago, the company recorded 100,000 man hours at one of its facilities without any loss time incident which he attributed to the professionalism, quality of staff and a sound health and safety policy of the company.

  • ‘Technical development key to oil, gas growth’

    Players in the oil and gas sector have been urged to make technical capacity development as a panacea for their growth.

    Acting Principal/Chief Executive, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun in Delta State, Mr. Jacob Avuakporeta Orukele, gave the advice at an oil/gas and allied companies learning managers workshop at the institute.

    In his welcome address on the occasion, he said allied companies  should be preparing their organisations for the challenges ahead.

    At the event, he sought for collaboration in human capital development, staff exchange programme, students industrial attachment and the support of stakeholders.

    In a lecture on, Gas development:  On-shore and off-shore, A level playing field of the future in the Industry,   Dr. Olimma Ufuoma Allison harped on the essentials of gas formation, noting the natural processes in the evolution of a viable oil and gas wells and reservoirs. She listed the global distribution of gas resources and disclosed that Nigeria has the largest gas reservoir in Africa and the ninth in terms of resource availability in the world.

    She underscored the enormous cost of infrastructure for gas development and the government’s effort in addressing such challenges. She stressed the success of the Joint Venture between NLNG and foreign companies in exploitation of gas in Nigeria.

    She reiterated that the investment potential in the industry was a consequence of the rising demand for gas both locally and globally and cited the various local and international companies involved in successful gas business.

    She noted the imperativeness of reduction of gas flaring to meet international regulations as regard to gas flaring actually gave rise to the investment opportunities to comply to national legislative  requirement and international regulatory laws. She reiterated the strategies embarked upon by the government in the nation’s Gas Master Plan to attract investments in gas sector of the economy.

    She recounted the issues of threat to security, inherent risk and low investment in gas infrastructure as the major challenges in gas development projects in the country.

  • New automation lab enhances technical

    New automation lab enhances technical

    With the establishment of the Festo Authorised and Certified Training (FACT) Centre for industrial automation at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, local capacity to automate production processes is expected to be greatly enhanced.

    The facility was inaugurated by Governor Babatunde Fashola on Monday, who said that it would eliminate the need for foreign capacity-building workshops as the centre is equipped with the relevant tools and manpower to provide qualitative training.

    He added that better training would ultimately help Nigeria to produce more goods locally.

    “I have been inside this laboratory and I can tell you most of the things you’ll probably see only in your textbooks, video documentaries, you will now interact with in live demonstrations. And they would hopefull enable you to understand better the basis and processes behind pneumatics, which is pressure for air and for liquids; automation, which is industrialisation and processing. As I have said time and again, the road to prosperity here lies in only three words: ‘Made in Nigeria’. And the more of ‘made in Nigeria’ that we begin to see around us, the more prosperity we will experience.

    “Many of the trainings that we usually spend money to send people overseas to experience this kind of laboratory is now in Nigeria, so we have taken one step towards Made in Nigeria, by domiciling the knowledge and the practical experience here,” he said.

    Special Adviser on Eko Project, Ms Ronke Azeez, said the centre has gotten certificate of accreditation that would allow it to offer international training. (The certificate was presented to Fashola by the Managing Director of Festo, Peter Sengpiel.)

    Ms Azeez added that four instructors underwent intensive training facilitated by Festo, a German automation company and partner on the initiative, which equipped them with skills to train, not only students of the college, but also workers from multinational companies like Coca Cole, Boulos, Dangote, etc.

    Ms Azeez added that training offered by the cente is part of the curriculum of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB), which conducts terminal external examination for technical college students.

    The FACT centre boasts of two laboratories: Basic Mechatronics and Advanced laboratories, which are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and ICT facilities used for writing programs for automating manufacturing processes.

  • ITF trains 74,000 youths in technical, vocational skills

    ITF trains 74,000 youths in technical, vocational skills

    • Partners OPS

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained 74,000 young Nigerians  in different technical and vocational trades, its Director-General, Dr. Juliet Chukkas – Onaeko, has said.

    Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Lagos on Zero Oil Policy and Economic Growth: The ITF Perspective, she said the programme was ongoing.

    She appealed to stakeholders for support and collaborate to consolidate on the ongoing training programmes in the different sectors of the economy.

    She said: “So far, 74, 000 young Nigerians have been trained in different technical and vocational trade areas. Most of the trainees secured employment immediately on  completion of their training, while a large number of them have established businesses of their own and are doing well.”

    Mrs. Chukkas–Onaeko said the technical skills development programme is being run using facilities of employers in different parts of the country and ITF Skills Training Centres, adding that over 2,300 trainees have so far benefitted from this partnership.

    She also said ITF has entered into technical collaboration with Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) for the training of craftsmen and artisans in the construction industry.

    She said the Federal Government has introduced various policies to reform the economy in order to place it on sustainable economic growth and stability.

    She said: “As a proactive organisation, we have acquired four mobile workshops to complement our existing industrial skills training centres. These will increase accessibility to skills training in all nooks and crannies of the country and ensure that our young men and women acquire relevant skills to fit into existing and new jobs.

    “The ITF has also refocused its training programme to equip two million youths annually with employable and life skills required for self and paid employment. We hope that the outcome will be drastic reduction in unemployment and restiveness across the country.”

    The ITF boss said most of the trainees secures employment immediately after completion of their training, while large number of them have established businesses on their own and are doing well. “This laudable programme is on-going and we need your support and collaboration to strengthen and consolidate it,” she said.

    Mrs. Chukkas – Onaeko said ITF is also in partnership with Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for the training of young Nigerians in various skills, adding that the Technical Skill Development Programme (TSDP) is being run using facilities of employers in different parts of the country and ITF’s skills training centre.

    According to her, the seminar is expected to attend to all concerns.  “We shall highlight the key activities of ITF;  the collaborations we have made over the years and the various reforms we are putting in place to support the Federal Government policy to transit from oil to other sectors,” she said.

    Mrs. Chukkas – Onaeko, said in line with trends in the international community, the Federal Government has introduced various policies to reform the economy and place it on a sustainable economic growth and stability.

    Of particular importance was the launch of the Transformation Agenda, which emphasised growth in manufacturing, agriculture, power, solid minerals, tourism, road infrastructure and other critical sectors of the economy. The follow up launch of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) policies were to ensure that our quantitative advantage was turned to productive gains.

    She said the NIPR focuses on economic and revenue diversification in industrial sectors where Nigeria has comparative advantage, adding that supporting structures such as infrastructure, skills, finance, investment climate, innovation, standards and local patronage are being initiated to ensure sustainability.

  • ‘Technical, vocational education key to solving unemployment’

    ‘Technical, vocational education key to solving unemployment’

    Youth unemployment is a challenge facing many nations in the 21st Century. But how can government solve the problem? This was the focus of the seventh inaugural lecture delivered by Dr Emmanuel Aromolaran at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

    Aromolaran, who is a former Dean of School of Technical Education, spoke on the topic: Business education: A panacea for unemployment in a depressed economy. According to him, unemployment is cause of the waste of human resources found in abundance in Africa. He said the remedy was to train the youth towards job creation.

    Aromolaran said the government could use business education as a tool to fight unemployment through technologies and skill acquisition.

    He said: “It is pathetic, that our tertiary institutions’ graduates, having spent minimum of four years in school with one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, will have to roam the street, looking for non-available jobs. Their inability to be engaged in productive venture makes many of them to take to crime and other social vices.”

    The don said the way out was for the government to empower unemployed youths through entrepreneurial training and establishment of small and medium scale enterprise. He also said collapse of disparity between university and polytechnic degrees would help in solving the unemployment riddle.

    In his conclusion, Aromolaran said technical and vocational skills acquisition remained the solution for Nigeria to escape the revolution by the army of unemployed youths.

    The lecture witnessed the gathering of academics and students. The body of principal officers was led by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr Morouf Adebakin. Others are Mrs Hannah Akanbi, Dean School of Technical Education, former Rector, Mr Gabriel Okufi, Prof Duro Ajeyalemi of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Anthony Adekunle of Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Dr Femi Adeniyi, Provost, Federal College of Education, Oyo State, among others.

  • Technical C’ttee accepts Amodu’s plea for Keshi

    Technical C’ttee accepts Amodu’s plea for Keshi

    • Pinnick says ‘no objection’

    The process for the return of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Super Eagles appeared complete on Friday after the NFF Technical Committee accepted the plea for his reconsideration, made by Coach Shaibu Amodu on Monday.

    Amodu was announced to take over the senior squad in the early hours of October 16, hours after the team’s 3-1 win over Sudan in Abuja only took it to third place in the Group A table of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

    However, in a letter dated October, 27 and addressed to NFF President Amaju Pinnick through the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, the 56 –year old tactician pleaded that Keshi be reconsidered for the two matches as the time –frame was too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether.

    “As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed a good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Committee,” Amodu wrote, inter alia.

    Speaking on Friday morning, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said his committee has accepted the plea and forwarded same to the NFF President.

    “We have deliberated on Coach Amodu’s letter, and after speaking to my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFF President of our approval.”

    On his part, NFF Pinnick simply said on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.

    “I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and since that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved, so be it.

    “I have always said that the work of the committees will not be interfered with. We will give the committees the independence to do their work for optimum results. I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFF will give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the two very crucial final matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.”

  • NFF TO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Seal Keshi’s deal in 7 days

    NFF TO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Seal Keshi’s deal in 7 days

    • An Emergency Congress slated for Thursday, 31st July

    THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has instructed its technical committee to seal a deal with Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi, for another four years in the next seven days and report their findings to the executive committee at an unspecified date.

    The executive committee members stated categorically that they were still interested in retaining Keshi’s services for the Super Eagles, stressing that: “The Executive Committee mandated the Technical Sub-Committee to open channels of communication with Mr. Stephen Keshi with a view to extending his contract, as the NFF is still interested in working with him. The Technical Sub-Committee is to report back to the Executive Committee within ONE WEEK.”

    The executive body revealed further that subsequent financial dealings with Super Eagles’ players and coaches must be done before the commencement of such international competitions to avert the show-of-shame that dogged Nigeria’s participation at the Brazil 2014 World Cup competition, where Nigeria was eliminated by France 2-0 in the Round of 16.

    “Henceforth, all financial issues with players and officials must be thoroughly deliberated upon and agreed ahead of major matches and competitions, to avoid the kind of embarrassment brought upon the nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil, when players boycotted training sessions before the Round of 16 match with France.”

    “An Emergency Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation will be convened in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday, 31st July, 2014 to ratify the impeachment of Alhaji Aminu Maigari from the NFF Executive Committee.”

    The Executive Committee commended world football–governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their keen interest in the development of Nigerian football and pledged that the country will continue to abide by the dictates of FIFA and CAF Statutes and FIFA–approved NFF Statutes.

    “The Executive Committee thanked Nigerians from far and near for their patience and understanding during the crisis period and reiterated that concerted efforts that are geared towards the development of football in Nigeria, are on.

    It remains to be seen if the NFF executive body will be in office when the decisions raised in the comunique are taken with a few days to the NFF’s elections, where a majority of those at Thursday’s meeting would be shocked at the polls.

  • Technical training for teachers

    Technical training for teachers

    Ten technical teachers drawn from the three Lagos technical schools – Agidingbi, Ikorodu and Ikotun that specialise in refrigerator and air-conditioning repairs, have concluded their training. The two-week exercise is meant to empower them on how modern air conditions and refrigerators can be fixed. Aside, the teachers are expected to transfer the knowledge to their students who are being targeted by the Lagos State government to embark on aggressive entrepreneurship skills towards boosting the SMEs in the state.

    The training which was handled by DEKOOLAR Nigeria Limited, Arepo, Ogun State, was sponsored by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).

    And for the trainees, the experience was a departure from the conventional theoretical norm they were long exposed to.

    Mr Afolabi Kolawole who spoke on behalf of other trainees said that the exercise exposed them to new methods such of fixing modern air conditioning and refrigerators.

    “We are really having a unique experience here,” Afolabi told Newsextra.

    “Aside, we also learned new things that we did not anticipate would be part of the training; like we had a welding plant in our school which we rarely touch because we’d always believed they are meant for welders. But here, we were taught how we can always integrate welding into our work and all of us can now handle welding equipment effectively. Before, we did not know how to construct cold room cabinet. Whenever we wanted to make a cold room, we would go to Owode Onirin to buy a cabinet, and then construct the cold room. But here, we were taught how the cabinet is made through the mixing of two chemicals in equal proportion that would produce the cabinet substance.”

    On his visit to the trainees, LASTVEB Executive Secretary, Mr Olawunmi Gasper, admonished them to leverage on the knowledge acquired and network among themselves for further acquisition of knowledge.

    “LASTVEB decided to bring you here for this rigorous exercise so that you can learn from the nitty-gritty and therefore impact same on your students.

    “I will also advise you not to allow your knowledge end here but to henceforth network among yourselves so you all can address any challenges that affect you individually”, Gasper, an engineer, advised.

    The CEO Dekoolar Nigeria Limited, Mr J Ola Akanbi, also an engineer, certified the trainees, saying they are more experienced and capable of scaling any hurdle.

  • Wada’s wife seeks more technical colleges

    Wada’s wife seeks more technical colleges

    Wife of the Kogi State governor and Chief Executive Officer Faridah Wada Foundation, Mrs. Faridah Wada has reiterated the need to establish more technical colleges in the country with a view to tackling unemployment and youth restiveness.

    Mrs. Wada spoke during a Spelling Bee competition organised for junior secondary schools in Abuja.

    The schools that participated in the competition included Community Staff Secondary School, Asokoro; Government Secondary School, Jikwoyi; Government Secondary School, Karu; Government Secondary School, Tudun-wada and Government Secondary School, Maitama.

    The event was jointly organised by corps member, Miss Zainab Haruna in conjunction with the Faridah Wada Foundation at Government Science and Technical College, Garki.

    In her opening remarks, the Mrs. Wada said technical education was a panacea for curtailing the unemployment rate in the country.

    “If students are made to learn and acquire technical skills at this level by the time they are through with tertiary education, they would still have something which they can fall back to in the absence of any job,” she said.

    She commended Miss Haruna, the initiator of the competition and promised that her organisation would sustain the project even after the pass out of the corps members.

    “As a group, we believe in the girl child education and the youth. I wish to state here today that what Miss Zainab has started will be sustained by the Faridah Wada Foundation so that her efforts will not be in vain,” she said.

    At the end of the competition which was supervised by the Head of Department, English and Linguistics Nasarawa State University Dr. Gideon Omachonu, Community Staff School Asokoro emerged winners and were followed by Government Secondary School Karu.