By Idris Auwal, Kaduna
In his passionate effort to help reduce unemployment and address the out-of-school children syndrome affecting 18.3 million Nigerians (UNICEF) and 118.5 million Africans (UNESCO), Professor Idris M. Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has established Africa Skills, Knowledge, and Innovations Academy (ASKIA) to curb the menace of youth nuisance and unemployment.
The not-for-profit skills academy, named after Askia Muhammad Ture I (1443–1538), born Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr al-Turi was the first ruler of the Askia dynasty of the Songhai Empire, reigned from 1493 to 1528. Askia was known for his unwavering efforts to educate Africans and empower them with skills.
The Chairman of ASKIA, Prof. Bugaje said Africa is endowed with human and mineral resources that can help the region develop and compete with developed countries. He urged African youths to prioritize skills development, even if they also pursue degree and diploma certificates.
Meanwhile, Professor Bugaje advised the government to empower its youth with skills for global opportunities.
The Chairman of the ASKIA Academy also applauded the passionate concern of the Minister of Education and Malam Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna state, for their focus on TVET education.
In his address, the Director of the Academy, Professor Diyaudeen Hassan, represented by Shetima Lawan Buba Walama, sought collaboration and assistance from the government and good citizens to promote the vision of ASKIA Academy in creating jobs for Africans, reducing the out-of-schools children rate a d curb the risk of Africans subsaharan migration.
However, the Centre Manager, in his remarks, appreciated the generous focus and vision of Professor Idris M. Bugaje in changing the African narrative of white-collar dependency. Meanwhile, Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim expressed happiness for the nine graduates who obtained Creative Media Production certificates.
The representative of the Tudun Wada District Head, Baballe Kacalla, thanked Professor Idris M. Bugaje for establishing a skills school for African development and called for assistance from all sides for the progress of the academy.
Kfn