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Tag: training

Govt to save N180b in new training scheme, says ITF chief

An initiative of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to engage the services of Nigeria Professionals abroad to begueath requisite skills to youths, will result in about N180billion savings for the Federal Government.

ITF Director-General, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, who stated this yesterday in Lagos at an interactive session with stakeholders on the need for partnership towards the successful implementation of its mandate in line with the skills needs of Nigeria, said ITF-Diaspora volunteer skills development programme, has been designed to upgrade the quality of skills in Nigeria to international standards at little or no cost to the Federal Government.

She said Diaspora Nigerian professionals would be engaged voluntarily on what she tagged, “first-rate skills training for Nigerian youths through the Industrial Training Fund’s Brain Gain initiative.”

Mrs. Chukkas-Onaeko, said the Brain-Gain initiative, will be powered by Nigerian experts in the Diaspora who have volunteered to give back to their home country through direct knowledge and technology transfer at no cost to the ITF.

She said the Nigerian experts, who are specialists in various high-tech sectors, would work with the Fund, based on a yearly volunteer calendar that would ensure that the target of an annual quality training for you, we have mapped out plans to work with not less than 10,000 in renewable energy, robotics engineering, hospitality, oil and gas, and petrochemicals among others, in the next three years.

“We have been able to identify experts who have skills to contribute to this programme. But in the first phase, we are considering a conservative number of just 10,000. Most of these experts are professionally and financially accomplished people who are willing to play this role at their own cost.”

She said analysts have put the cost of retaining an expert in the Diaspora under the ITF training scheme at N500,000 monthly. This is a very conservative figure, and it is the amount that would have been spent hiring each volunteer trainer for the programme.

“When this is computed for a three-year period, the total amount of money that would be saved by the government comes to around N180 billion for 10,000 volunteers in three years.”

Mrs. Chukkas-Onaeko also called for partnership and support from all stakeholders and employers of labour in the country, stressing that, for the programme to be very successful, other cost components of the programme, such as air fare and insurance, could be further volunteered by stakeholders.

“For example, we are looking at a situation where airlines operating in Nigeria will voluntarily provide free flight tickets for these experts to further reduce the cost to them and increase the number of experts who will volunteer. Insurance companies can also come along to insure these experts to make them more comfortable to carry out their assignments,” she said.

She noted that, in view of the numerous developmental challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation and the unwavering resolve and commitment of the Federal Government to initiate transformational changes that would place the country on the trajectory of sustained economic growth, it had become imperative for the ITF, as the foremost manpower development agency, to review its strategies and modus operandi.

September 18, 2015
Tanker drivers and training need assessment
The usually unresolved controversy between the drivers and their employers on brake management, load management, speed management and road worthiness of vehicles.
1. Lack of in-depth knowledge of the components, workings, effects and dangers of alcohol, energy drinks, cannabis, and other forms of psychoactive drugs (including some categories of prescription drugs) as well as the effects of sex – in – transit and the use of sex enhancement drugs on driving.
If FRSC, state governments and driving schools in Nigeria buy one million tankers and other articulated vehicles for the training of drivers, it will not solve 10 percent of the problems. Rather, it will result to a waste of resources unless the above – mentioned challenges are adequately and effectively addressed.

I also want to suggest that all the transport companies that are operating fleets of articulated vehicles should be allowed to use their experienced drivers to train the newly employed drivers on how to drive or operate the vehicles as they have been doing in the past. They should also have driving range. The popular training system hitherto used includes accompanying the new drivers in journeys for hand – on training which is good. To become trailer drivers, they must have known how to drive smaller vehicles like buses with reasonable driving experience.

All the articulated vehicle owners must however be compelled by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and state governments to send all their drivers to FRSC – accredited driving schools for mandatory capacity building training programmes where they will be deeply taught the above – mentioned topics among others and issued with “Certificate of Competence” by the driving schools (to be renewed annually).

Arrested traffic offenders should be fined and promptly sent to driving schools for correctional training programmes without any iota of compromise.

Driving schools however need to complement their training with computerised simulators designed for drivers of articulated vehicles, videos and other relevant driver education resources to enhance the effectiveness of their training programmes. Driving schools will surely be able to do this if their training opportunities currently being hijacked by the FRSC and some state government agencies are totally left for them to run.

What is much more needed now is a result–oriented stakeholders forum which will include the Ministries of Transport (Federal & State), FRSC, VIOs, Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria(the Umbrella Body of the Driving Schools in Nigeria], Transport/Haulage Companies and the various Transport Companies to proffer the short–term and long-term solutions to the challenges. The previous exclusion of driving schools from the stakeholders’ meetings is a very costly error which needs to be promptly corrected to achieve the desired goals.

Without any iota of doubt, I am very confident that these prescription will drastically reduce and eventually eliminate the accidents involving the Drivers of articulated vehicles in Nigeria.
September 14, 2015
Training to get priority

The Vice-Chancellor, IBBU, Prof Muhammad Maiturare, has assured that capacity development would be given the utmost priority to enable them add value to the university.

He said this while declaring open a five-day workshop for Laboratory Technicians on the installation, operation and maintenance of high-tech laboratory equipment acquired through TETFund grant, held in the Senate Chamber.

Maiturare said the management was poised to provide condusive environment for cutting edge research, training and community services, which could only be achieved with high-tech equipment and workers that can operate them.

The Vice-Chancellor charged the participants to avail themselves of the opportunity to pay attention to the training for the benefit of the University.

Workshop Coordinator and Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Prof Nuhu Obaje disclosed that the new equipment would make the university’s research centre a reference in the country.

September 10, 2015
Training for pharmacists

In its resolve to improve quality of life by enabling people to feel better and live longer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)–one of world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies–has gone into partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on an innovative training programme, tagged Scientific Course for Pharmacist Education (SCOPE), which aims at enhancing knowledge of Nigerian pharmacists.

According to the partners, SCOPE, a non-promotional and free online training programme for pharmacists, consists of nine disease area modules that are accredited by the United States-based Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

In her contribution at the media conference held in Lagos to announce the partnership, Google Nigeria Country Manager, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor explains that “the Internet plays a key role in professional development across all sectors and it’s great to see GSK and PSN driving digital awareness within the pharmaceutical sector.”

A 2013 survey conducted in Nigeria revealed that 50 per cent of pharmacists seek training as value added service from GSK. This need led to the development and launch of SCOPE, which is designed to enhance the knowledge base of pharmacists and improve pharmaceutical care outcomes for patients at the pharmacy. These would improve patients’ productivity and well-being, thereby building credibility for pharmacists within their communities.

The Commercial Development Manager, Africa and Developing countries in Asia (ADC) Mr Jide Adeosun commended the PSN for pioneering the partnership with GSK.

“We are committed to rolling out similar programmes across Africa,” he said.

In his remarks at the media conference, PSN President, Mr. Olumide Akintayo revealed that successful completion of SCOPE is now one of the requirements to receive 10 credit points towards the required 30 credit points under the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCPD) programme of the Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Mr. Akintayo noted that the partnership with GSK will further strengthen PSN’s doggedness to promote and maintain high standard of pharmaceutical education in Nigeria, stressing that, “SCOPE facilitates a future grounded on professionalism through new frontiers in quality education updates.’’

Speaking at the event, Managing Director GSK, Lekan Asuni stated that the MoU signing marks a milestone for not only the partners, PSN and GSK, but also for the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.

“We consider this education partnership a great opportunity for us at GSK to fulfil our mission of improving the quality of human life. Through this innovative programme, we aim to enhance the knowledge of Nigerian pharmacists and in turn, positively impact the lives of patients in Nigeria. The online platform was chosen to implement the modules because it’s more cost-effective than face-to-face trainings with a wider reach as pharmacists in hard to reach areas can benefit. Access to quality education will indeed build credibility in the pharmaceutical industry,” he said.

Among key opinion leaders in attendance were Director of Pharmacy, General Hospital, Ajeromi; Mrs. Awofuwa, Chief Executive Officer Health Plus, Mrs. Bukky George, Mrs Dorcas Omeire of University of Lagos Medical Centre, Director of Pharmacy, Central Bank of Nigeria Staff Clinic, Mrs. Nmadu; Deputy Director of Pharmacy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba Mrs Bolanle Adekoya, Director of Pharmacy, Health Service Commission Mr Salami and host of other dignitaries.

September 9, 2015
Tanker drivers and training need assessment
There is no doubt about the fact that the level of damages done by accidents involving tankers and other articulated vehicles is worrisomely high.

However, some of the solutions being proffered by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and some state governments are not correctly articulated. Those measures amount to putting the cart before the horse and cannot significantly reduce the crashes involving articulated vehicles in Nigeria. Proper problem diagnosis must always precede the announcement of solutions which willeventually fail.

Going down the memory lane, articulated vehicles have been plying Nigerin roads for at least 30years now despite the fact that there is no single driving school that has a tanker or trailer to train the drivers as affirmed by FRSC. In Nigeria as at today, there are over 100,000 articulated vehicles plying Nigerian roads. Out of the over 200,000 drivers handling the articulated vehicles, not up to 4,000 of them were involved in accidents in a year which boils down to two percent.

This brief analogy tells us that if these whole lot of driver have been moving the vehicles safely without going to driving schools, then the major challenge of the drivers of articulated vehicles is not in teaching them how to operate the vehicles but in the management of the drivers by their employers and in the drivers’ ability to effectively co– ordinate their driving.

If driving schools should buy trailers for the training of drivers, they will need to embark on behind– the – wheel instruction for example, from Lagos to Kano for comprehensive hands -on training. The diesel or gas used will be about N50,000.00.

How much will the driving schools charge such an individual and how many people can afford to pay?

How many VIOs have trailers and well-built driving range for the testing of such drivers in Nigeria? None for now! The purchase of articulated vehicles by Driving schools, VIOs and FRSC is not the focal issue now. Prevention education by driving schools backed up by thorough tests on the part of the VIOs and unbiased enforcement and prosecution by FRSC Officers holds the ace.

The result – oriented actions I expected the FRSC and State governments to take is to embark on a deep research on how the trailer drivers have been successfully learning how to operate the vehicles without going to formal driving schools? What were the challenges they encountered in the process? What problems or damages did they cause in the process of learning to drive? What are the problems they are still battling with and the effects on road safety?

Objective investigation should be conducted to know the actual factors that caused each accident involving articulated vehicles (Investigation, Recording and Reporting). Answers to the above – mentioned questions will pave way for effective solution to the accident crisis. Such reports may be in soft copies only, to save cost.

Within the past four years, I have been involved in interacting and training some drivers of articulated vehicles and I found out that the factors responsible for their involvement in road accidents is not that they did not know how to operate or move the vehicles. Rather, their major challenges include the following:
1. Lack of deep understanding of the vehicle characteristics, vehicle dynamics and driving forces such as the effects of gravity, centrifugal force, centripetal force, kinetic energy, inertia, hydroplaning, and road banking on the movement of articulated vehicles.
2. Inadequate attention to the use of the weapon of driver diary and fatigue management by their employers.
3. Inadequate knowledge of the drivers on fatigue, sleep debt, chronic fatigue syndrome and allied challenges such as high blood pressure and diabetes among others.
1. The usually unresolved controversy between the Drivers and their Employers on Brake management, Load management, Speed management and Road worthiness of vehicles.
2. Lack of in-depth knowledge of the components, workings, effects and dangers of Alcohol, Energy Drinks, Cannabis, and other forms of Psychoactive drugs (including some categories of prescription drugs) as well as the effects of sex – in – transit and the use of sex enhancement drugs on driving.
If FRSC, State Governments and Driving Schools in Nigeria buy one million Tankers and other articulated vehicles for the training of Drivers, it will not solve 10 percent of the problems. Rather, it will result to a waste of resources unless the above – mentioned challenges are adequately and effectively addressed.

I also want to suggest that all the Transport Companies that are operating fleets of articulated vehicles should be allowed to use their experienced Drivers to train the newly employed Drivers on how to Drive or operate the vehicles as they have been doing in the past. They should also have driving range. The popular training system hitherto used includes accompanying the new Drivers in journeys for hand – on training which is good. To become Trailer Drivers, they must have known how to drive smaller vehicles like buses with reasonable driving experience.

All the articulated vehicle Owners must however be compelled by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and State Governments to send all their Drivers to FRSC – accreditedDriving Schools for mandatory capacity building training programmes where they will be deeply taught the above – mentioned topics among others and issued with “Certificate of Competence” by the Driving Schools (to be renewed annually).

Arrested traffic offenders should be fined and promptly sent to Driving Schools for correctional training programmes without any iota of compromise.

Driving Schools however need to complement their training with computerized simulators designed for Drivers of articulated vehicles, videos and other relevant Driver Education resources to enhance the effectiveness of their training programmes. Driving Schools will surely be able to do this if their training opportunities currently being hijacked by the FRSC and some State Government Agencies are totally left for them to run.

What is much more needed now is a result – oriented Stakeholders forum which will include the Ministries of Transport (Federal & State), FRSC, VIOs, Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria(the Umbrella Body of the Driving Schools in Nigeria], Transport/Haulage Companies and the various Transport Companies to proffer the short – term and long- term solutions to the challenges. The previous exclusion of Driving Schools from the Stakeholders’ meetings is a very costly error which needs to be promptly corrected to achieve the desired goals.

Without any iota of doubt, I am very confident that these prescription will drastically reduce and eventually eliminate the accidents involving the Drivers of articulated vehicles in Nigeria.

End.
September 7, 2015
Photo: Training for 2017 Africa cup of nations qualifier

FROM LEFT: SUPER EAGLES DEFENDER, GODFREY OBOABONA; FORWARD, EMMANUEL
EMENIKE; MIDFIELDER, LUKMAN HARUNA AND TEAM MATES, AT THEIR TRAINING FOR THE 2017 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER AGAINST TANZANIA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY

FROM LEFT: SUPER EAGLES FORWARD MOSES SIMON; DEFENDER KENNETH OMERUO; GOALKEEPER CARL IKEME; MIDFIELDER OBIORA NWANKWO AND DEFENDER LEON BALOGUN, AFTER THEIR TRAINING FOR THE 2017 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER AGAINST TANZANIA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY

SUPER EAGLES HEAD COACH, SUNDAY OLISEH AND HIS ASSISTANTS (L), AT THE TEAM’S TRAINING FOR THE 2017 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER AGAINST TANZANIA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY

September 2, 2015
NCDMB sponsors 22 to China for pipe mill training

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has concluded arrangement to sponsor 22 young Nigerians to the Peoples Republic of China to acquire skills in the operation and maintenance of machines that will be used at the pipe mill being set up at Polaku, Bayelsa State by Mainland Pipe Mill Nigeria.

The trainees, who will travel before the end of the month, will be heading for the Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe Company Limited (BSG), Baoji in Shaanxi Province, China where they will undergo their 45-day training.

The training is being facilitated by Mainland Pipe Mill, which has BSG of China as its technical partner.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital at the induction for the trainees ahead of their trip, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Denzil Kentebe, urged them to take the programme seriously and acquire the necessary training and certifications that will enable them successfully operate the Polaku pipe mill when it becomes operational.

He said the trainees had been offered an opportunity, which millions of Nigerians were desirous of and charged them to comport themselves as worthy ambassadors and return home as successes.

Kentebe cautioned the trainees against breaking the laws of their host country, especially on the possession and use of illicit drugs as such offence attracts stiff punishment by the Chinese authorities. Besides, offenders will be disappointment to their families and the nation that have reposed confidence in them.

The General Manager, Capacity Building Division, NCDMB, Ikpomosa Oviasu, restated that the programme was part of the Board’s efforts to imbue Nigerians with critical skills required in the oil and gas industry.

According to him, the trainees would be assessed during and after the programme and the best performers would be placed in existing pipe mills in Nigeria for further on-the-job training ahead of the start of the Polaku pipe mill.

Oviasu also confirmed that the Board and BSG had made arrangements for the trainees’ accommodation.

August 20, 2015
Push for technical vocational training in schools

Former Provost, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, has advocated a review of the National Policy on Education to promote skill acquisition and address the growing unemployment among youths in the country.

Adedoja said the need for the review became imperative in view of the global economic reality.

Adedoja, a former minister of sports, made the call in Ibadan while answering questions from reporters on the state of the nation’s education sector.

Adedoja said: “Education is very important for the development of any country. But for countries that have shown signs of economic development they have given priority to the acquisition of skills inherent in vocational and technical education for which we have neglected in this country.

He continued: “Our technical schools are virtually empty; and our vocational system has been neglected. We have given priority to university education at the detriment of vocational and technical education that are key to entrepreneurship. Nigeria’s economic potentials can only be achieved if we give technical education the priority it deserves. Ghana, for example, is a country rated high today in terms of waking up economically, and it has started to give priority to technical and vocational education not even at the university, but secondary and polytechnic levels.

“Before you are certified to have completed secondary education in Ghana, 30 per cent of subject offered must be at least vocational. But in Nigeria today, we have given priority to other subjects.

Adedoja, who is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa,t described NPE as archaic with the current global economic reality.

He lamented that the National Policy on Education in Nigeria which was promulgated in 1977 “has not been reviewed up till today” He argued that it s not only JAMB that requires review as being demanded in some quarters, stressing that all sectors of the educational system in Nigeria needs a reappraisal.

Adedoja condemned the negative attitude of most Nigerians to vocational and technical education.

He said: “The countries that can be considered developed technologically and scientifically are countries that give priority to their vocational and technical education.

“We have in this country neglected technical and vocational education that would make us reach those countries that are developed today. Our schools’ curricula need urgent review in this direction,” he stressed.

August 20, 2015
US offers $.997m training grant to Dangote refinery

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has signed an agreement with Dangote Group for a grant of $997,443 for the training of Dangote Oil Refining Company’s per sonnel, a subsidiary of the Group.

The USTDA grant will fund a multi-year programme to train over 100 Dangote Company staff on refinery fundamentals. Through the training, the Dangote staff will be able to operate and maintain the Greenfield Refinery in Lekki, Lagos.

The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said during the ceremony that the refinery has installed refining capacity of 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and will be built at a cost of $9 billion.

Dangote said: “Just over a year ago, with our decision to to invest in a $9.0 billion 650,000 bpd refinery project, we decided to address the paradox of Nigeria being one of the world’s largest producer and exporter of crude oil but yet one of the largest importers of refined products. Today the project has commenced and we expect to be in production by first quarter of 2018.

“For such a high tech project investment in getting the right quality of human capital to run the plant is considered to be possibly the most critical success factor for the multi-billion dollar project. We are therefore, most grateful for the generous grant of USD 997,447 from the USTDA towards the training of some of the operators needed to successfully operate and maintain our Greenfield 650,000 bpd capacity refinery at Lekki. This grant from USTDA is consistent with her history of support for infrastructure development in Nigeria.”

USTDA Deputy Director Enoh T. Ebong signed the grant agreement with President of the Dangote Group, Dangote. Ebong said: “USTDA is pleased to support the Dangote Oil Refining Company’s efforts to increase Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity. This programme builds upon USTDA’s long history of support for vital infrastructure development in Nigeria.”

Acting United States’ Consul-General Dehab Ghebreab said the USTDA’s support for the project is an example of the strength and depth of the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship, adding that it will go a long way in laying a ground work for monumental growth in the country.

“I believe that when government and private sector get together, great things can happen. The U.S. government’s goal is to facilitate transactions that are beneficial to both countries and there is no better example than this project. I am pleased that USTDA could assist here,” she said.

August 6, 2015
Photo : Training for Police in Abuja

I-G SOLOMON ARASE (6TH L); SOLICITOR-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION, MR ABDULLAHI AHMED-YOLA (5TH L); DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NIGERIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES,PROF. ADEDEJI ADEKUNLE (4TH L); CHIEF JUDGE OF FCT, JUSTICE ISHAQ BELLO (4TH R); DIG, DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, DIG DAN’AZUMI DOMA (3RD R) AND OTHER MEMBERS OF NIGERIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES, AT THE TRAINING WORKSHOP ON EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION ACT FOR NIGERIA POLICE IN ABUJA ON MONDAY

August 3, 2015