By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Kaduna, marking a major step towards youths empowerment and workforce development in the state.

The initiative, strongly aligned with Gov. Uba Sani’s vision for economic inclusion and human capital growth, was aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for self-reliance and employment.

While at the Murtala Mohammed Square, Tinubu also unveiled 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, part of the state government’s efforts to modernise public transportation and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

The projects are part of the broader agenda of both the Federal and Kaduna State Governments, focusing on infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, youths empowerment, and economic growth.

In his remarks, former Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness the inauguration of various projects in Kaduna, particularly the 300-bed Specialist Hospital named after Tinubu.

Sambo described the hospital’s inauguration as the fulfilment of a vision that began in 2009 during his tenure as the Governor of the state.

“Today, we celebrate the realisation of a project that was conceived over 16 years ago. It is a dream come true for the people of Kaduna,” he said.

Sambo recalled that as Governor, he was confronted with a painful healthcare reality fewer than 3,000 hospital beds were available for a population exceeding six million.

Sambo added that the situation worsened when Kaduna metropolis lost its 800-bed hospital following the relocation of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital to Shika, Zaria.

“Many families were forced to travel outside the state in search of specialist medical care. Our goal was to reverse health tourism and provide world-class medical services at home,” he said.

“The newly inaugurated 300-bed specialist hospital is expected to significantly boost healthcare delivery in the state and reduce the pressure on tertiary medical centres.”

Also speaking at the event, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, commended Tinubu for what she described as a focused leadership that was “refocusing the country and renewing citizens’ hope in governance.”

She said that the president’s commitment to resilience and sustainable development had laid a solid foundation for national progress.

According to her, the vocational institute is a component of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to create jobs, drive economic development, and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

She also praised Gov. Uba Sani for running an inclusive and people-centered administration.

In his remarks, Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), described Kaduna as a growing hub for skills development in Nigeria.

He stated that while the state faced significant challenges related to youths unemployment and economic diversification, vocational training presented a viable solution.

“Vocational training and skills development are widely recognised as a pathway to empower individuals with practical knowledge, enhance self-reliance, and ensure gainful employment,” Bugaje said.

Speaking also, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu-Bamali, commended Tinubu for his visit to Kaduna and his continued support in inaugurating the legacy projects across the state.

The emir, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers’ council, described the projects as impactful and unforgettable contributions to the state’s development.

He also appreciated the collaboration between Tinubu and Sani, particularly in the area of security management.

“We are witnessing the return of peace to various parts of the state, especially in Giwa and Igabi local government areas, as well as the southern zone of Kaduna,” he said.

The royal father reaffirmed the support of the traditional institution for the government’s efforts towards lasting peace and development.

Dignitaries present at the epochal visit included the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen; and the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu-Bamalli, among others.

The project is part of a broader effort to improve health infrastructure and service delivery in the state. (NAN)