National News
N-Skill Programme: FG earmarks over N4.6 billion for training, others
N-Skill Programme: FG earmarks over N4.6 billion for training, others
The Federal Government has earmarked over N4.6 billion for the N-Skill training, buying of tools and or payment of monthly stipends to the Batch C beneficiaries of the programme.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq made this known at the closing ceremony of the N-Skill Training on Smartphone repairs and services in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N-Skill Programme was based on a certification system and accreditation of practical training provided through the informal training system.
NAN reports that each of the 100 beneficiaries would go home with a rework soldering station (Soldering Iron), a digital multimeter, a set of precision screwdrivers, a repair tool kit and magnifying lamp.
READ ALSO: Buhari Appoints Abdulganiyu New CG, FFS
Farouq explained that the fund was a tremendous direct injection of resources to the youth at the grassroots.
She noted that the graduate and non-graduate components of the N-Power programme had been expanded to provide job opportunities for 12,981 unemployed youths in Lagos state under the Batch C.
The minister added that this followed the successfully exiting of 16,694 youths under Batches A and B.
Farouq noted that the programme was a clear demonstration of the commitment to collectively address youth unemployment in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s deliberate efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
The minister said that while the training accommodated many skills-based enterprises, the Smartphone repairs were used to pilot the programme under the N-Power non-graduate component.
Farouq said the programme was consistent with the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
She said: “The programme was designed to train, tool and transit marginalised unemployed youths to be gainfully employed.
“The Ministry has worked with technical service providers to provide the N-Skills training services to 6,475 unemployed youths across the federation.
“For you the trainees, over the past six weeks, you have been given the opportunity to: learn and develop competencies in the smartphone repairs business.
“You have acquired life-long skills that would help you to develop an entrepreneurial understanding of the trade; be responsible citizens, take decisions and effectively manage interpersonal relationships.”
The minister said their participation would change their orientation and prepare them to optimise employment opportunities in the smartphone repairs and service market.
Farouq said that having completed this training, they would be attached directly to Master Craft Persons (MCPs) in the trade, for a six-month apprenticeship.
She noted that the MCPs were masters of smartphone repairs who were also trained and certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that the attachment would enable them to have a work-based learning experience.
According to her, in the six-month attachment period, your performance would be assessed and examined by the NBTE and the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).
The minister said this would lead to the issuance of NBTE certificates to those that met the minimum requirements, urging them to work hard to meet the requirements.
Speaking, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, the Lagos state Focal Person, NSIP and Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment in the state, urged the beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs, thereby creating jobs for the people.
Arobieke noted that the programme was one of the ways to train the trainers and before they know it, the country would be free from unemployment.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Rotimi Adeniyi, the Chairman, People Living with Disability, Lagos State Chapter, thanked the president for giving them the opportunity to participate in the programme.
NAN reports that the high point of the programme was the presentation of certificates and equipment to the beneficiaries.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.
Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have wrapped up a major national initiative to support State-led electricity market reforms.
The State Learning Workshop Series focused on Electricity Market Development, Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and energy modelling software.
Workshops in Lagos, Calabar, Kano and Jos have been successfully completed, drawing participants from all the 36 States and the FCT and setting a strong precedent for what lies ahead.
These sessions equipped policymakers, regulators and stakeholders with the tools to design robust, sustainable and investor-ready electricity markets at the State level, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, the Director-Legal/Head Power Desk at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Chijioke Chuku,, stated that: “Nigeria’s electricity future depends on the capacity of our States to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision. Through the workshop series, we are equipping States not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to take charge of their electricity markets. The NGF is proud to partner with UKNIAF in ensuring that the promise of the Electricity Act 2023 becomes a lived reality across the country.”
The sessions in the State Learning Workshops covered: The legal and regulatory pathways for setting up State Electricity Markets; Commercial models for private sector investment; Integration of State plans into Nigeria’s National IRP;
Practical training on the software platform for energy modelling.
The initiative drew from lessons learned in the course of UKNIAF’s work supporting the Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Oyo State Governments—early movers in electricity market development—in setting up their markets.
It also drew from experience gained in the course of UKNIAF providing technical support to the Federal Ministry of Power in drafting both the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria’s first National Integrated Resource Plan, both of which were approved very recently.
With States now empowered by the Electricity Act 2023, this series is a timely and strategic effort to ensure capacity, coordination, and sustainability in Nigeria’s decentralised energy landscape.
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed three persons and injured three others in an attack on Galadi town, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Sources confirmed the incident saying the attack occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 27.
The sources said the bandits stormed the town, shooting sporadically, which resulted in the deaths and injuries.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were mobilised to the scene. The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to Galadi Primary Health Care Centre for autopsy and treatment.
Meanwhile, a manhunt for the fleeing culprits has been intensified, as the bandits escaped before the arrival of the joint forces,” the sources said.
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
Gunmen kill one, abduct two women in Kano
Police investigate alleged rape of UNILAG student by lecturer
Police arrest three among deadly gangs over killing of passenger in Plateau
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics3 months ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
