FG To Establish Skills Acquisition Centres To Train Unemployed Youths – Labour Minister

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has affirmed Federal Government’s determination to establish more skills acquisition centres across the country to provide vocational training to unemployed youths as part of efforts to reduce the spate of unemployment in Nigeria.

He stated this in Abuja recently when he received in audience a delegation from the Abuja branch of the Ngige Mandate Movement, adding that the Nigerian Government will soon establish more skills acquisition centres across the country to train unemployed youths in different vocational skills through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Chris Ngige further noted that given the alarming rate of unemployment in the country, Nigerians should de-emphasize the quest for white-collar jobs and explore other alternatives, citing skills in building construction, plumbing, tile – laying, plaster of Paris, screeding and painting among others as viable means of livelihood. He urged Nigerians to brace up to the challenges of the times, stressing that the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving no stone unturned in making sure that unemployed Nigerian youths are engaged in productive ventures.

The Minister explained that the Labour Ministry is liaising with other government establishments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), State and Local Governments on the need to sensitize people and invite them to key into the skills acquisition programme of the Federal Government. He further reiterated that Nigerians should adjust emotional attachment to white-collar jobs, saying Government will in no distant time embark on a Community Service Scheme, through the Conditional Cash Transfer meant to alleviate poverty among the vulnerable in the society.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Coordinator of the Abuja Chapter of the Ngige Mandate Movement, Foster Ogbalu said that the purpose of their visit was to congratulate Chris Ngige on his appointment as the Minister of Labour and Employment. He assured the Minister of their unalloyed support, adding that they are determined more than ever before to collaborate with him, to make sure that he succeeds in the discharge of his duties.

ABUJA (Ministry of Labour and Employment Report)