Lafia Vocational Institute Commences Pilot Training For 70 Youths In ICT, Wielding

The Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Skills Acquisition Institute Lafia, has commenced training with an intensive, hands-on programme as a pilot for 70 youths selected from across Nasarawa State.

Executive Director of the institute, Dr Daniel Ewuga Asele, disclosed this when Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, paid an inspection visit to the facility, on Tuesday.

According to Dr Ewuga, the first batch of trainees at the institute comprises 40 youths, who will undergo intensive training in Information Communication Technology (ICT), while the remaining 30 will be trained in welding and fabrication.

He explained that, after the training,  which will last for 3 months, the trainees will graduate with the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certificate, as well as the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) certificate.

The executive director added that the institute has also begun the process of ensuring that it registers with appropriate regulatory agencies, to be able to issue its trainees with the National Innovative Diploma (NID).

“The bottom line of all the training we are doing here is that at end of it, they will be employers of labour. Before now, Nigerians’ interest is only in paper qualification.  Your paper qualification cannot give you anything today. Your certificate cannot fetch food for you today. Your certificate cannot respond to food, to money,” Dr Ewuga said

He emphasized that the institute is imparting vocational skills to the youths so that they can start their own business, as well as become employers of labour.

“It’s only skills that respond to money and money responds to skills. Your certificate can only cure your illiteracy. It cannot cure your poverty. It’s your skills that can cure poverty today,” he added.

When the trainees are out of this place, we expect them to go and establish their business.  That is why we call it SYB. Start Your Business. And in turn, they will employ others to work with them.

Speaking during his inspection visit at the facility,  Nasarawa State Governor,  Engineer Abdullahi Sule,  expressed satisfaction that the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Skills Acquisition Institute, has commenced training of youths from across the state.

Engineer Sule commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for effectively utilizing the facility to the benefit of the people of the state and the country at large.

The Governor urged the trainees to use the opportunity provided at the institute to acquire vocational skills that will make them self-employed.

According to him, it gives him a sense of fulfilment to see the institute commence its activities with 70 youths drawn from across the state, stressing that this further serves the policy thrust of his administration in the area of human capital development.

Engineer Sule expressed hope that, with the springing of industries across the state, the Lafia vocational institute will serve as a centre for the training of qualified manpower to man these industries.

The Governor, who couldn’t hide his excitement seeing the trainees, used the opportunity to test his welding and fabrication skills.