Some 40,000 trainees of N-Build Batch C-1, under the N-Power of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) across the country, have graduated after a three-month training programme to build their skills in artisanship, says Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
Ms Farouq, at the closing ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, expressed delight and satisfaction with the programme.
According to her, it is a landmark occasion to economically advance the living standard of young unemployed Nigerians by empowering them to become tomorrow’s employers of labour.
“It is worthy to note that what is happening in FOCI Skills Training Centre here in Abuja today, is also taking place in 693 Training Centres, across the six geo-political zones in the country. Where 40,000 trainees in the Batch C1 of the N-Build Programme have been trained,” said Ms Farouq. “The N-Power Build is a three-month in-centre training programme that is designed to build competence and capacity in highly-demanding technical and vocational skills.”
She explained that the programme “provides a fully funded three-month” in-centre technical and vocational training by 693 training service providers across the 36 states and the FCT through different national skills councils leading to a six-month apprenticeship programme.
Monthly stipends would be provided to trainees for nine months while starter parks would be given after the in-centre training, added the minister.
Ms Farouq further stated that N-Power was one of the key programmes under the NSIP that had impacted positively on the lives of vulnerable youths in Nigeria, including persons with disability and forcibly displaced persons.
The minister noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had made an investment on each of the trainees in the listed trades by acquiring and providing them necessary materials.
According to her, this is to enable them to become and operate as skilled professional artisans and technicians, stressing that significant effort and resources have been invested in the N-Build programme.
(NAN)
