Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has set the pace in the National Christian Pilgrims Commission’s (NCPC) international youth skills training programme, with the sponsorship of 100 youths to the Republic of Israel, for training in various skills.

Flagging-off the training scheme at the Government House, Uyo, Gov. Emmanuel warned the benefitting youths to avoid the temptation of absconding in Israel, promising that they would not have any cause to regret, as his administration was also planning to set up relevant skill acquisition centres in the state.

The governor, who described the programme as “ice breaking in the development of youths on skill training and spiritual upbringing,” urged the beneficiaries to conduct themselves, “on ethical principles as worthy ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.”

He said that the selection of the benefitting youths was “purely without imposition but transparent and acceptance of the local government transition committees and the elders of respective political wards” and advised the beneficiaries to “consider the interest of the state to encourage further training in electricity and power generation, distribution and transmission.”

In his remarks, the executive secretary of the NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara, who also witnessed the flag-off ceremony in Uyo, said that it was the first time the programme was introduced, in addition to the annual family pilgrimage with the objective of combining spiritual knowledge and skill acquisition training for youths in the country, and he commended the Akwa Ibom State government for being the first to embark on the programme.

Mr. Okpara, who noted that on completion, the programme would bring social and economic benefits to AkwaIbom and Nigeria on technological skill acquisition, assured them that “all relevant arrangements on accommodation, feeding and medical care, have been made to facilitate your journey and comfortable stay in Israel.”

News Express reports that also present at the occasion, were the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. EtekambaUmoren, the state head of service, Mrs. Cecilia Udoessien, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and political party elders, as well as the members of the 31 local government council transition committees of the state.

•Photo shows Governor Udom Emmanuel.