By MUHAMMAD NUR TIJANI

The Federal Government has begun training no fewer than 100,000 youths in 1,500 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres across the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa?id, made the announcement on Monday in Kano.

This was during an inspection visit to Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where Sa?id assessed ongoing vocational training initiatives supported by the ministry.

?The administration is committed to expanding opportunities for our youths to acquire industry-relevant skills that will make them self-reliant and employable,? she said.

The minister said that the programme covered a wide range of trades including carpentry, welding, plumbing, ICT, automobile repair, tailoring, among other skills in high demand.

She said that the initiative was designed to ensure that beneficiaries of the programme became self-reliant, job creators and active contributors to the nation?s economic growth.

According to her, the provision of starter packs will complement the government?s drive to reducing unemployment and addressing the persistent skills gap in the country.

?The administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to strengthening technical and vocational education because it remains a critical pathway to empowering young Nigerians.

?Providing starter packs will enable our youths to put their training into practical use immediately,? she said.

Sa?id commended BUK for its commitment toward implementing the programme.

She said that the ministry would continue to partner institutions that promoted innovation, productivity and entrepreneurship.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, said the programme was timely as the country continued to grapple with low employability, reduced productivity and slow economic growth.

Those, he said, were due to inadequate skills among its youth population.

Musa was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ahmad Tsauni.

He said the programme was designed to equip young Nigerians with practical and entrepreneurial skills that would enhance job creation, innovation and national development.

Musa encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity by learning diligently and transforming themselves into agents of positive change in their communities.

?BUK will continue to invest in research, innovation and strategic partnerships to expand opportunities for youth employment and industrial growth,? he said

The vice-chancellor commended the Federal Ministry of Education and other partners for their support in ensuring the successful take-off of the programme.

A beneficiary, Muhammad Ali, who spoke exclusively to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), lauded the government for, what he described as, the timely gesture.

He expressed appreciation, describing the initiative as a crucial step toward youth empowerment and national development. (NAN)

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