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Tag: youths

  • 1.2 million jobs coming for skilful youths

    1.2 million jobs coming for skilful youths

    With the coming of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), the Federal Government is set to tackle youth unemployment. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Trade and Investment in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is to open and equip 46 skills centres to tackle unemployment, reports TOBA AGBOOLA.

     

    The National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) is a scheme designed to empower youths with resources to help them set up their businesses upon graduation. Under the initiative, no fewer than 29,875 trainees graduates will graduate yearly. Upon their graduation, they are expected to be employable.

    The Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, said the NISDP has taken off in 10 of the 36 states. No fewer than 10,000 youths are being trained in those states, 30,000 others are expected to be trained in diverse economic sectors.

    When the government launched the NISDP last year, it was intended that the scheme would provide over 1.2 million jobs for youths in order to boost the economy.

    The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom, who inaugurated the scheme in Apapa, Lagos, described the NISDP, which is to be driven by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), as key to the success of the government’s transformation agenda.

    He said: “As you are aware, capacity building is a critical requirement for economic growth and development.The NISDP, driven by the ITF and SMEDAN, is key to the success of government’s transformation agenda.

    “Under the NISDP, which is being driven by the ITF and SMEDAN, over 1.2 million people, particularly youths, will be trained yearly, with hope of securing jobs thereafter. I, therefore, congratulate the ITF for putting up this magnificent edifice which, I believe, will be a veritable outlet for the much needed skills acquisition services of the ITF”.

    The Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga said the ministry, in collaboration with ITF, has put structures in place to ensure that trainees from the NISDP are empowered to be either gainfully employed, or are able to set up their own businesses.

    He said: “We are already on the path to addressing the problem of skills gap and unemployment through the introduction and implementation of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme. The idea is that we want to turn our quantity advantage as a nation into a productive advantage. And the only way to do it is through skills acquisition and education after which we can provide opportunities for those that have acquired the skills to set up their own businesses or to be gainfully employed.

    “Therefore, the strategy of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, working together with the ITF, is to identify the critical sectors of the economy where we have comparative and competitive advantage. The second thing is to link those sectors or industries that we have identified to innovation, Research and Development. Then, the third thing is to link those sectors to industrial skills development. That is where the NISDP comes in.”

    Wapmuk said the NISDP was primarily designed to empower its trainees with resources to help them set up their businesses upon graduation.

    “This plan envisages that we will have industrial skills training centres in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. And in each of these centres, we will have provision for training people in 24 trade areas. We have also made provision in this plan for Centres for Advanced Skills Training for Employment (CASTE) and these are bigger centres that have provision for about 45 trade areas which will be located in the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.

    Wapmuk said the implementation of these initiatives is expected to generate 29,875 readily employable graduates yearly, which will go a long way in reducing unemployment, creating wealth and enhancing national security.

    Wapmuk said: “Our focus is to establish 37 Industrial Skills Training Centres, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, with six Centres of Advanced Skills Training for Employment for skills broadening and upgrading in addition to Sector-Specific Skills Training Centres to cater for the skills needed for manufacturing, agric-agro allied, construction and other critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    “In each of the 46 centres, training will be offered in 25 trade areas. Each of the 25 trade areas will enrol 25 trainees in line with international best practice for effective hands-on learning.”

    Wapmuk called for support from the stakeholders, saying ITF cannot do it alone.

    He said six centres of advanced skills training for employment and three specialised centres for culinary skills to develop skilled personnel for the hospitality and tourism sector would be established.

    “We need the support and encouragement of all stakeholders. This desire for partnership to enhance national growth and development led us to commence the Technical Skills Development Programme (TSDP) with NECA and the successes recorded by this scheme and the experiences we gathered through collaborations with local and international human resource development agencies contributed to our initiation and eventual partnership with the ministry for the launch of the NISDP.

    “We will continue to remain focused and work towards contributing our quota to the realisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda,” he said.

    On the modality and cost of establishing each centre, Wapmuk admitted that the skill centers are very costly to establish, because some equipment can cost up to N15 million.

    “We have estimated that the industrial skills centres in the 36 states and Abuja will have provision for 24 trades and will cost about N3.5 billion, while the bigger ones, the advanced skills centres in the six geo-political zones, will cost about N5.5 billion.”

    The cost notwithstanding, Wapmuk said ITF will be able to generate the required money over time to help establish the centres.

     

  • N514m for Niger Delta youths

    Over 71 Niger Delta youths were yesterday given N514 million by an indigenous oil company, Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited, under its Technical Skills Acquisition Programme (TSAP).

    The youths, from Addax’s host communities in Rivers and Imo states, were urged to be employers of labour, focused and hardworking.

    The Managing Director of Addax Petroleum, Cornelis Zegelaar, spoke at the graduation of the beneficiaries of the TSAP at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State.

    He said the programme was introduced in 2001 to train talented youths in their chosen vocation and provide the necessary support for them to set up their own businesses.

  • Youths move against poverty

    Youths in the country have been advised to come together to fight poverty by establishing economic ventures within their environment. The call was made by the Senior Programme Officer of Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Lagos, Mr Kayode Ogunyemi.

    Ogunyemi gave the admonition at the Stop Poverty Campaign organised by the African Alliance of Young Men Christian Association (YMCAs), Lagos, held at Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The rally with the theme: Shun Violence Embrace Peace brought together over 250 young people drawn from secondary school, Red Cross, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army covering the entire Awolowo Road to Tafawa Balewa Square of Obalende, Lagos.

    According to him, youth can only provide the direction for the future of our country when they are innovative, creative and taking advantage of the various opportunities available within their surroundings.

    He said that the dynamism of the world have been sustained by youths.

    Ogunyemi noted that the revolution in the information communication technology and other sectors have been pioneered by youths who decided to go beyond the limit of their environment, harness their innate abilities and potential.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the coordinator of the rally, Jare Oluremi said it was meant to unite young leaders and provide opportunities for them to express their views and pursue their personal goals and aspirations in life.

    Oluremi noted that the level of corruption is becoming a threat to the future of young people  in Nigeria, hence many of them are lured into perpetrating criminal activities such as killings, kidnapping, robbery that can be addressed effectively through mentorship of credible leadership.

  • Oyo Speaker inspires youths

    Oyo Speaker inspires youths

    Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, has identified ways to get the best out of youths in the state.

    One way is enlightenment; another is sport, both of which she has provided in full measure.

    The Speaker believes that productively engaging the youths is a veritable means of preventing violence.

    She stated that a great percentage of violence perpetuated by the youths in the country is the result of some communication gap, a disconnect between them and leaders at various levels which continues to widen over time and are often manipulated by opportunists who lure the youths with promises of better standards.

    Speaking at this year Speaker’s Cup Final Soccer Competition held at the Durbar Stadium in Oyo town, Hon. Sunmonu pointed out that “adequate enlightenment will create in the youths the awareness that the future belongs to them, that it must not be destroyed by them and that the future depend on the decision and choices they make.  It will register in them the contrast between the ignoble role of many contemporary youths and the noble and heroic contributions of the youths in the past to the development of Nigeria.

    “It will open their eyes to the need to embrace the rule of law and democratic ideals as well as the need to explore available channels in resolving issues relating to the neglect of the youths in the development process.”

    While lamenting that untapped youth energy finds expression in violence, the Speaker assured that the stadium would soon be given a facelift, while ultra-modern sporting equipment would be provided to prevent the youths from falling into the hands of unscrupulous politicians for election rigging purposes.

    She said: “The youths are the foundation of a society; their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation, and it is through their creative talents and labour power that a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio political attainments.”

    Also speaking, one of the organisers of the competition, Mr. Mustapha Wasiu, commended the commitment of the Speaker in remoulding the youths for responsible leadership in the future, through active participation in sports, in order to check anti social behaviours associated with youthful exuberance.

    Sixteen matches were played, while eight teams participated in the competition which started in August.

    Net Breakers defeated Oyo ‘A’ Football Club with a lone goal to win the third-place match.

    In the final, Temidire Football Club defeated Bisi Ilaka Football Club also with a lone goal.

    Trophies and cash donations were presented to winners and participating teams by the Speaker.

     

  • NGO advises youths

    The President, Virginspride Network, Nkechi Odebuyi has advised teenagers to choose a life of purity and honour.

    Speaking during the maiden get-together with the theme: Mingling with a difference at Ogba, in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nkechi said the gathering was brought together to bring back family honour and tradition. It was equally meant to nurture teenagers for a better tomorrow. “When you mingle with a difference, when you pray, heaven stands at attention because God knows you as a saint.”.

    She advised youths to have a life programme so that they can remain focused.

    “Draw a life map for yourself at every stage of your life of what you want to achieve. If you are a student, when do I finish school, work, many and start a family. What kind of family do I want to have, who is my role model?”

    The NGO that was established in 2005, has the following as its objectives-to positively influence and impact this generation; please God and leave a legacy and have the ultimate to make heaven.

    While urging youths to live a life of enviable values, the president admonished them to ask them to work and create legacies.

  • Youths attack Imo community over kinsman’s death

    Angry youths on Christmas eve attacked Umuochi village in Ihitte, Ngor–Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, following the death of their kinsman, Ikechi Eke.

    The deceased was allegedly stabbed to death by Obinna Opara, who was said to be from neighbouring Umuochi village.

    The youths from Umuohie village, it was learnt, invaded the neighbouring village to avenge the death of their kinsman.

    The youths, it was learnt, torched the home of the suspected killer.

    They were also said to have invaded the homes of other villagers and destroyed their homes and property.

    A resident of Umuochi, Mr. Mike Nkwocha, said nobody expected what happened.

    He said the villagers were preparing for Christmas when the incident occurred.

    According to him, there was pandemonium in the village following the youths’ invasion.

    Nkwocha added: “About 8pm, the late Ikechi Eke, who had attended a social function in Umuochi, was accosted by the murder suspect and an argumen ensued. It led to a fight.”

    The villager explained that passersby settled the squabble.

    He said nobody knew the suspect had gone home to take a dagger.

    The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim to death.

    Nkwocha said it was the cry from Ikechi that attracted the villagers to the scene.

    Opara allegedly went into hiding.

    But Ikechi’s kinsmen stormed Umuochi, looking for Opara, who was said to have fled the village.

    The Umuohie youths reportedly began the search for the suspected killer in the homes of the villagers.

    Opara was reportedly apprehended by his kinsmen yesterday when he wanted to board a Lagos-bound bus.

    Efforts to reach police spokesman Vitalis Onugu on the matter were unsuccessful.

    He did not answer his calls.

     

  • Youths urged to shun vices

    THE former Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Professor Kunle Lawal, has urged youths in Epe Federal Constituency to be more proactive and shun socieal vices in order to contribute to the development of the nation.

    Professor Lawal stated this while delivering a paper at Emergent Youth Leader Conference organized by Honourable Lanre Odubote, member House of Representatives, for secondary school students in Epe, as part of his one week empowerment programme held at Epe Division Grammar School.

    According ti him, nation building has to do with the process of developing the basic institutions that will build a progressive nation.

    He said that youths should be seen as stakeholders who can make an important contribution to their countries’ development and whose involvement must be appropriately nurtured and cultivated.

    He added that the United Nations’ programme on youth has identified different levels of participation for youth in nation building, saying that the higher the level of participation, the more control, influence and responsibility and responsibility young people will have on the outcome.

    “We must accept that whatever we are today is because of the country and society hence, we should give something back to the society.

    “For environmental happiness and nation building we need excellent young people, it is the environmental happiness that will give one a sense of belonging, makes one feel proud and gives sense of ownership” he said.

    He urged the youths to imbibe in community works that can help the society grow which include planting of trees, helping needy students, cleaning the surroundings, and ensuring energy conservation.

    In this remarks, the convener of the programme, Honourable Odubote said that gone are the days when youths are left out in the nation building, that youths are integral part of every society.

    He advised the students not to lose sight of the lessons learnt at the programme but to be of good behaviour, work hard and keep good friends.

    He assured the youths of more empowerment programmes in future which can take them to higher positions in life. He promised a free school bus to convey students in primary and secondary schools within Epe metropolis.

     

  • Nollywood UP to inspire youths

    Nollywood UP to inspire youths

    To protect the movie industry, the Lagos State government and artistes have initiated the Nollywood Upgrade Project (Nollywood UP). The government and Nollywood Workshop, a global non-governmental organisation (NGO) are collaborating on the project. The project is designed to ensure a stronger film industry and inspire the youths.

    The organisers said the project will be launched on December 3 to 7. The training, which has been designed in partnership with Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (CONGA) to address current gaps in the Nollywood’s capacity, is free. Application forms is available on www.nollywoodup.com for interested participants.

    According to the chairman of CONGA, Bond Emeruwa, the training will consist of master classes that cover key elements of directing, camera, lighting, sound, producing and the creative process, along with new strategies in financing and distribution, helping filmmakers harness the power of digital video to achieve high quality results. “Cutting edge training satisfies the need to raise production quality and to capitalise on new distribution opportunities, while increasing professionalism and growth throughout the industry.

    The project consists of three phases, which include building capacity through training and community cinema development; cultivating opportunities for innovation in film financing and distribution and serving to legitimise the industry as a space for investment, sponsorship and collaboration. The focus of the project is to boost the industry in all ramification through it innovation project by providing opportunities for filmmakers to receive appropriate training for 100 professionals.

  • A lift for youths, needy in Ekiti

    A lift for youths, needy in Ekiti

    Lawmaker provides jobs tools

    A House of Representatives member, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, has donated poverty alleviation items worth several millions of naira to over 1000 beneficiaries across the 33 wards making up the Ekiti South Federal Constituency II in Ekiti State.

    The constituency comprises Emure, Ekiti East and Gbonyin Local Government areas.

    Faparusi, who represents Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, received a groundswell of praises in Ode Ekiti during empowerment programmes he organised principally for youths, needy adults, women groups and the physically challenged in his constituency.

    Under the programme with the theme, Fighting Poverty, various items distributed.

    The items included four 14-seater buses for the party, one per local government area and one for constituency operations; a 10-seater bus; two saloon cars;  35 motorcycles, 35 grinding machines; 10 deep-freezers, 25 sewing machines; 25 hair-dryers; 35 generators for small business owners; 160 knapsack sprayers for farmers; 10 wheelchairs for disabled persons; 32 complete sets of business centre gadgets and materials; five sets  bricklayers tools; clothing materials for 400 women; 200 stoves for women; N10,000.00 cash support for 64 market women and cash donation for 10 entrepreneurs worth N1million.

    Faparusi said it was natural for him to share his wealth with the poor, adding that he felt compelled to give back to the people who freely gave him their mandate to represent them.

    He said further that empowering women and the youth is surest way to reduce poverty among Nigerians.

    Faparusi noted: “Pursuant to the careful assessment of the needs of the communities in the constituency, we have gotten the nod of the National Assembly to embark on crucial community projects under the Constituency Project Scheme.

    “These shall be commenced fully in January 2013 after necessary modalities have been put in place. These projects include the construction of an ICT centre at Emure; installment of a 33KV feeder line at Isinbode; construction of boreholes at Ijan, Kota, Omuo and Emure, installation of solar streetlight at Ekiti East and Gbonyin, and supply of library materials and facilities at Omuo.

    The federal parliamentarian described the increasing spate of unemployment rate among Nigerian youths and women, as a time bomb that could kill the future of the country, unless concerted efforts are made to halt the trend.

    At the event, over 10 vehicles and motorbikes were distributed to commercial drivers and motorcyclists including youth groups, while women numbering over 1,000 went home with sowing and grinding machines, as well as generating sets to boost their businesses.

    While some women received financial assistance to help them in setting up

    small scale businesses, some youths also got free recharge cards and mobile phone sets to set up phone call business that would make them economically independent and cushion their poverty.

    Faparusi insisted that the country must place high premium on the development of the youths and women categories, if it is sincere with its development and transformational agenda in boosting its economic potential

    “The rate of unemployment among the youth groups and women is alarming and it is an issue that calls for sober reflection because that is the why Nigeria has found it very difficult to develop economically.

    “Today, youths are taking into armed robbery and other crimes as well as prostitution because they are not gainfully employed. This is why the governments have to be passionate about the development of its youth population for economy to develop, because they are the active and productive population”, Faparusi said, adding: “No country had ever abandoned its youths and developed. They should be the focus of the economy. They should be well-equipped and positioned to drive the economy for Nigeria to move up. There should be interventions for them to have education, skills and leadership focus to guarantee the future of this country. That was why all my intervention programmes since elections have been centred on education and skills acquisition to complement the efforts of Governor Kayode Fayemi”.

    He further said: “What we have given them are just palliatives. Many others will still have their share, but above all, I have acquired lands for the purpose of building skill acquisition centres across the constituency where people will be able to get trained in vocations with more supports from us. That will, by God’s grace, commence next year.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Chief Ajisafe Moses who got a car noted that the kind of experience in Ekiti in which thousands have so far benefitted from both state and national lawmakers and political office holders in the state across the three senatorial districts has turned peoples’ lives around dramatically.

    Moses said: “This experience we are having is new in the state. We are thankful to God and grateful to our lawmakers. We are not being disappointed however as we elected them and what we thought is what we are getting today especially from Hon. Faparusi.

    According to Kunle Oloruntoba, it is total surprise that he could get nearly a hundred thousand naira worth motorcycle from Hon. Faparusi. I am grateful to our lawmaker for this great gift. I have been saving for this for a long time and I now have it without spending any amount.”

  • Youths disrupt operations at Shell facility

    Youths have disrupted operations at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) facility at Daewoo in Afam, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State in the past two days.

    Over 100 youths mounted a blockade at the entrance of the company’s power station.

    They are protesting the company’s alleged failure to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities to the host community.

    The protesters want the company to employ youths in the community, build roads, establish an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre (ICT) and review the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the council and SPDC, among others.

    They are also demanding the transfer of the Operational Manager of Afam Power Station, Mr. Ben Agbagiogwu, from Oyigbo facility.

    This is the second time the youths have barricaded the entrance of the power station in three months.

    The peaceful protest began on Monday by 5am.

    President of the National Youth Council (NYC), Oyigbo chapter, Mr. Israel Agomuo said: “We are not going to leave this place until SPDC answers us. We will remain here until they are ready to meet our demands. No Shell staff will be allowed to enter the premises until they have agreed to our terms.

    “Since SPDC began oil exploration in our community in 1957, it has continually denied us employment opportunities, even though the council has produced many qualified graduates in various fields.

    “We have sent series of letters to the company, which we copied the authorities in the state, including Governor Chibuike Amaechi, so that they can appeal to Shell to listen to us, to no avail.”

    On their grievances against Agbagiougwu, Agomuo said: “At a meeting with representatives of the company, the state government, and the Council Chairman, Mr. Felix Nweke, Agbagiogwu said they cannot employ Oyigbo youths because they cannot compete favourably with youths from other areas.

    “This is an insult against our youths and we are here to make sure SPDC listens to us.”

    SPDC Corporate Affairs Manager Mr. Precious Okulogbo could not be reached as at press time.