The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has empowered 100 youths in Kwara State, in line with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to enhance the skills of youths across the country, promoting employment and self-reliance.
NASENI has previously conducted similar training programs in 11 states, with a total of 1,100 youths trained nationwide in various vocations, including electrical installations and maintenance, modern auto-mechanics and diagnostics, solar installations and maintenance and modern tailoring and plaster of Paris (POP) installations.
The new executive vice chairman of NASENI, Dr. Bashir Gwandu expressed gratitude to the former president for the government’s vision to directly impact the youth through the NASENI Skill Development Programme. The programme, which began in 2022, aims to be completed before the end of President Buhari’s tenure in May 2023.
During the closing ceremony of the five-day training in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, Dr. Gwandu emphasised that the event marked the second training of its kind in the north-central geo-political zone by NASENI. He highlighted that it was part of a series of directives from the former president to build the capacity of young people in modern electrical installations and maintenance, among other vocations.
Gwandu stated, “Our goal is to ensure that our young people develop modern skills in electrical installations and maintenance to create jobs and opportunities for self-employment”. He expressed gratitude to the chief of staff to the president, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari for his unwavering support and the efforts made to revitalise NASENI and fulfil its founding fathers’ dreams.
Representing the chief of staff at the occasion, chairman of the governing board of Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Yahya Alapansanpa reiterated the government’s focus on enhancing the capacity of the youth and empowering them with skills for the future. He encouraged participants to use modern tools to not only empower themselves but also become successful entrepreneurs in electrical installations and maintenance.
Prof. Bolaji Abdufatai, who represented the chairman of the occasion and former vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Prof. Suleiman Adeyemi, expressed gratitude to President Buhari for supporting NASENI’s Skills Acquisition Programme.
He emphasised that the training equipped the participants to adapt to the ever-changing technological advancements in the fields of electronics, electricals, power, tools, and appliances.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Olabode George Towoju, commended NASENI for its timely and commendable intervention in the state. He highlighted that empowering the youth had been a priority programme for the government and NASENI’s initiative aligned perfectly with their efforts.
During the closing ceremony, the participants received modern tools and equipment, including work-master kits, electrical tools boxes, cordless drilling machines, multi-meter testers, and other electrical tool kits. NASENI, now functioning, independent of the civil service bureaucracy, is well-equipped to carry out critical tasks in advancing cutting-edge technologies, influencing the fourth industrial revolution and establishing new standards.
The training aimed to familiarise participants with emerging technologies in electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance, as well as current advancements in these fields. It aimed to prepare and equip them with the necessary skills to seize the opportunities and overcome challenges that arise as the next Industrial Revolution takes shape. By providing these youths with modern techniques, NASENI has positioned them ahead of their peers in the region in terms of skills, practical exposure to new technology, and problem-solving abilities.
