Kaduna state is taking a lead in skills development – Prof. Idris Bugaje

By Idris Auwal, Kaduna

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris M. Bugaje, has commended Senator Malam Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, for bringing his wealth of experience to the establishment of three skill villages in the state.

The NBTE Executive Secretary made the statement at the graduation ceremony for Africa Skill Knowledge and Innovations Academy (ASKIA) learners today at the NBTE Center of Excellence.

Professor Bugaje said, “Governor Uba Sani has shown that he is a governor who wants to reduce joblessness among youths, with his effort to build three skill villages in Kaduna state.”

Prof. Bugaje also said that skill is the global currency. He added, “When youths are empowered with skills, they can work not only in Nigeria for better opportunities in the whole world.”

“We don’t pray for what happened in Brazil to happen in Nigeria because of unemployment. Let us empower our youths, not only for them to work in Nigeria. Nigerians, if empowered, can work and render services across the globe. Asian countries are already leveraging on this – India, Bangladesh, Pakistan – they are up-skilling their youths, earning good living, and bringing foreign exchange to their countries.”

“We are happy that the Kaduna state government, the current government, is trying to take a lead in skills development in Nigeria. This is why I put the picture of the Governor on the school’s colloquial to appreciate his effort. He has created three skill cities in Kaduna state: Rigachikum, Soba, and Samarun Kataf. These three skill cities are almost 80 to 90% complete. I think the one in Rigachikum will start enrolling students soon. It will offer not long-term programs, but short-term programs of six to one year.”

Meanwhile, Professor Bugaje charged Nigerian youths to engage in skills, even if they want to enroll for degree and diploma programs.

The Executive Secretary of the NBTE said NSQ certification will help in reducing foreign labor in the country, while boosting the Nigerian economy.

In his remarks, the Centre Manager of ASKIA Academy, Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim said the academy is a not-for-profit established by Professor Idris M. Bugaje to empower African youths with skills for the progress of the country.

“The school is seeking government and good citizens’ contributions to support Professor Idris M. Bugaje’s visionary goal of eradicating unemployment in Nigeria through skills certification.”

“This Academy is one of Professor Idris M. Bugaje’s sacrifices, fueled by his passion for helping Nigerians, for Allah, and for the development of Africa.

“The Africa Skills Knowledge and Innovation Academy (ASKIA) is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to galvanize African youths into skills training programs to meet the current challenges facing the continent. This aligns with the global framework of “skills, not degrees.” Coincidentally, this is also the slogan of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in its quest to promote skills, reduce unemployment, and the number of out-of-school children in Africa,” the ASKIA Academy Manager said.

“Meanwhile, we would not hesitate to seek collaboration and donations from good people and the government to continue this sacrifice of empowering our teeming Nigerians and Africans with skills and opportunities,” the Center Manager added.

In his part, the Awarding Body of Skills Nigeria, Dr. A.D.K, appreciated Professor Idris M. Bugaje’s grand effort in equipping African youths with skills for the betterment of the region and promised to continue supporting the zeal.

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