Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has said that the Lafia Technical Institute of Technical Education, would afford unemployed graduates from the state, the opportunity to acquire vocational and technical skills that will make them employers of labour.
Governor Sule disclosed this at the annual youth summit organized in collaboration with the Global Peace International, holding at the Lafia City Hall, on Thursday.
The governor, who emphasised the need for youths in the state to understand the essence of establishing the institute, added that his administration has committed enormous resources towards the completion of the institute to enhance development, science and technology for the youths.
With the state government according highest premium on youth development and empowerment, as a prerequisite for wealth creation towards national growth and progress, Engineer Sule noted that it has become incumbent on all concerned to create enabling environment for the youth to realise their potentials for the good of society.
“It’s in this regards, that this government is committed to creating employment opportunities to the youths through the skills acquisition and vocational training programme in the state,” he stated.
According to the governor, requirement for admission into the Lafia Institute will be varied, to accommodate youths who have graduated with various degrees in other areas but who find it difficult to find jobs.
Governor Sule explained that, at the institute, graduates who could not find job, can also come and acquire skills in areas such as electrical installation, fitter machinist, motor mechanic, fabrication engineering and wielding.
Other areas of skills are, carpentry, building, agricultural mechanization, air conditioning and refrigeration, tailoring and radio mechanic.
“These are the kinds of areas we have identified and our youth should get involved so that they can become employers of labour rather than employees,” the Governor stated.
He stressed that his administration will provide young men and women the opportunity to acquire skills in order to engage them in profitable ventures with a view to reducing poverty and creating wealth, in consonance with our economic empowerment scheme.
Commenting on the unemployment rate among youths in the state, put at 27.4 two years ago, Engineer Sule vowed to cut down the figure by half in two years, particularly with the agricultural activities taking place in the state.
He, therefore, urged the youths to use this rear privilege to develop themselves for self-reliance, independence and their future.
Earlier, in an opening remarks, Ene Obi, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, said the annual youth summit was organized in commemoration of the International Youth Day, which presents an opportunity for stakeholders, youths, government, community, etc, to mainstream young people’s voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful engagement in contributing to the development and their role in peace building.
Ms. Obi was represented at the event by Mr. Oluwole Elegbede, Director Finance, ActionAid Nigeria.
