Send Your Kids To Acquire Technical Education Now……Zulum

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno Governor Professor Babagana Zulum has called on residents to send their wards into the technical vocational and education training (TVET) centre for them to acquire skills for livelihood.

He regretted that there are about nine vocational enterprise institutes/ centres in Borno state but young people are not responding to the opportunities that abound in these training centres the way he felt they should embrace it.

The Governor who attended the graduation ceremony of 2,970 trainees Tuesday at the vocational enterprise institute Muna in the outskirts of Maiduguri said he hardly shed tears over anything but the way the young people dismiss the opportunities offered by these centres sometimes make him to tear up.

Speaking in Hausa to the locals present, he went on ” Look I established centres like this one here, in Mafa and all over the state but sadly the young ones are painfully snubbing these places which is there to change their lives and teach them how to fish.

” I hardly shed tears easily but each time I watch our young ones who need these opportunities snubbing what we brought for them to benefit, I feel bad indeed. It makes me feel like shedding tears.

” This is why I am begging you to please hurry up and ensure you enroll your children to grab this opportunity which is lined up for them now that it lasts.”

He assured the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje that Borno will continue to lead in the TVET centre module of training for as long as there are out of school kids and orphans littering the metropolis and the countryside.

He assured the NBTE boss that Borno is not yet done with his agency adding that he will surely find a way to sit down and work something out that would be beneficial to the state on the long term basis.

Zulum posited that a situation in which a serious business man like Dangote will have to bring in as many as 11,000 technicians from India to boast production in his refinery when young Nigerians would have taken such position is sad.

The Governor warned parents that they have only five years left to think about the offers in the centres and enroll their kids so that they too will become beneficiaries of the goodies offered by the system.

At the end of the speech making session, Gov Zulum, awarded 100,000 naira each to the 2,970 beneficiaries who completed their intensive vocational training across the state.

Zulum equally distributed starter packs and business kits valued at ₦2,050,000,000 to the graduates, aimed at equipping them to establish their own enterprises to become self-employed almost immediately.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the nine vocational training institutes located across Borno State offering skills in fields such as information technology, plumbing, construction, tailoring, welding and various artisan trades.

Governor Zulum, while addressing the gathering, reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting young people, particularly those affected by over 10 years of insurgency in the state.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, one of the cardinal priorities of this administration has been youth empowerment and the protection of vulnerable members of our society. We remain mindful of the devastating effects of insurgency on our communities, which disrupted livelihoods, increased unemployment and exposed many young people to uncertainty and hardship.

“It became imperative for the government to implement sustainable interventions aimed at restoring dignity, creating opportunities and rebuilding productive capacity among our people.

“It is with great honour and a deep sense of fulfilment that I address this distinguished gathering on the occasion of the graduation and presentation of starter packs to 2,970 trainees drawn from nine vocational enterprises institutes and centres across Borno State.

“In addition, we reactivated nine vocational training centres and three second chance skills entrepreneurship schools dedicated to women and girls.” Said Zulum.

The Governor said that the institutes prioritises the enrolment of vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by insurgency and provide structured training in diverse vocational and technical trades to enhance employability and economic independence.

Prof Zulum revealed that, his administration had invested over ₦40 billion in the establishment, rehabilitation, and equipping of vocational enterprises institutes, vocational training centres and technical colleges across Borno State since he was sworn into office.

According to Zulum, this strategic investment is aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school youths, promoting self-reliance and developing a skilled workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to both the state and national economy through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, explained Zulum’s vocational training concept, which he noted is a direct product of the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the Governor whose administration recognises the urgent need to empower youths with practical, employable and entrepreneurial skills.

The initiative he stressed is equally part of the Governor’s broader agenda to promote self-reliance, restore dignity, rebuild livelihoods, particularly among conflict-affected youths, women and vulnerable members of the society.

Send Your Kids To Acquire Technical Education Now……Zulum