In practical demonstration of the determination of the current administration to urgently reverse the worrying unemployment situation it inherited, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige has commissioned for immediate use, an Information and Communication Technology Centre(ICT) built by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ugwunagbo L.G.A of Abia State.
The Minister described vocational training and skill acquisition as ranking high in President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s quest to develop a self-reliant low and middle level manpower base, intended as an engine of growth, in waging a successful battle against unemployment.
“The Centre will provide qualitative skill acquisition, create veritable workshop for self reliant productivity as well as contribute to poverty reduction programme of this administration.”
“It has a capacity to train over 150 persons in various ICT driven skills at a session, especially in areas of Computer and GSM phone repairs. Our administration is pursuing a paradigm shift from a dependent youth population to that which is not only self reliant as a result of vocation and skill but can also employ others. We wish to stimulate an all round creativity and through that, productivity. The aggregate of these multiple private endeavors is the live wire of a buoyant economy.”
The Minister therefore urged the people of the area in Abia and neighboring states to take advantage of the Centre, adding that the NDE was replicating same in other parts of the country.
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who accompanied the Minister to the commissioning, promised to provide incentive to the trainees of the Centre as well ensure adequate security for facility.
He commended the Federal Government for its thoughtfulness in ensuring that the challenges of unemployment are drastically dealt with to check the growing youth restiveness in the Country.
Samuel Olowookere
Deputy Director (Press)
