…as 1,000 Ekiti youths benefit from programme
The Ekiti State Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping youths with practical and industry-relevant skills as the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills/Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS/TVET) programme commenced in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Kofoworola Olabimpe Aderiye, gave the assurance at the flag-off ceremony of the training programme in Ado-Ekiti.
Aderiye, who was represented at the event by the Ekiti State AGILE Project Coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua, said the government was determined to reposition Technical and Vocational Education as a viable pathway to employment and economic empowerment.
She urged beneficiaries to take the six-month training seriously and replicate the knowledge and skills acquired for the benefit of others.
According to her, skills development remains critical to tackling unemployment and boosting the state’s economy.
Also speaking at the programme, the Communications Consultant for the IDEAS Project, Prince Ihenacho, who represented the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing unemployment and promoting economic growth.
He said the training covered aquaculture; craft engineering and building technology; catering and hospitality; creative media; networking and security installation; as well as web development and hosting.
According to him, no fewer than 40,000 youths are participating nationwide, with about 1,000 from Ekiti State.
He said the programme, which began on Jan. 12, would run for six months, adding that participants would receive a monthly stipend of N22,500, subject to a minimum attendance of 65 per cent.
Ihenacho said a federal monitoring team had completed its assessment and would review attendance records before approving payment of stipends.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Training Masters, Mr Adeyinka Olubunmo, advised participants to form cooperative groups to improve their chances of accessing government loan facilities.
Olubunmo said funds had been made available through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to support business start-ups.
One of the beneficiaries, Salvation Praise Ojonugwa, expressed appreciation to the ministry and trainers for the opportunity, describing the programme as impactful.
Dignitaries at the event included representatives of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology and the Bureau of Community Communications, among other stakeholders.
The TVET initiative is a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Education designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Through partnerships with certified training centres across the country, the initiative offers tuition-free training, monthly stipends and start-up support for selected trades in high-demand sectors.
The initiative is supported by the IDEAS Project, sponsored by the World Bank.
