By John Ikani
As part of efforts geared towards tackling youth unemployment in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has kick-started Training of 500 GSM Phone Repair Trainees in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
Delivering his keynote address at the official commencement of the programme on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote explained that the training is an initiative of the NCDMB Youth Empowerment Training Programme aimed at building the capacity of Nigerian Youths through sellable Skills Acquisition.
Engr. Wabote who was ably represented by the GM, Research Statistics & Development, NCDMB, Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, informed participants that the Board worked with Bayelsa State Government to design the 3 phase training programme for Bayelsans across the eight (8) Local Government Areas.
He therefore urged trainees to grab the opportunity created by the training to join the global trend of providing innovative solutions as entrepreneurs.
The local content chieftain further congratulated all trainees who made the list and wished them the best as they set on the journey of being empowered and becoming income earners in their own right.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment & Productivity, Bayelsa State, Mr Stanley Braboke, thanked the Board for partnering with the Bayelsa State Government in bringing the training to reality.
He encouraged trainees to take the training seriously.
Why this matters
It is worthwhile to note that Nigeria has the largest population of youth in the world, with a median age of 18.1 years. About 70% of the population are under 30, and 42% are under the age of 15. About 40% of youths in Nigeria unemployed.
The size and youthfulness of the population offer great potential to expand Nigeria’s capacity as the regional economic hub of Africa and globally.
When productively engaged, a young, large population could be an economic asset because population growth and economic development correlates.
The latest gesture by the NCDMB adds to a long growing list of youth training/empowerment programmes initiated by the Board under the transformational leadership of Engr. Simbi Wabote.
These developments are testament of the Board’s resolve to create in-country value through viable and robust strategic development of capacity and capabilities.
