Equip Youths With Practical Skills In Fast Evolving Global Economy- Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized the need to equip youths with practical skills to enable them to thrive in a fast-evolving global economy.

He was speaking at a public hearing, on the bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Adikpo Benue State and the National College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, lllela Sokoto state.

According to the Speaker, reforming and modernizing technical education is essential for developing skills necessary for propelling Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

The Speaker who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Students Loan, Ifeoluwa Ehindero said as part of efforts to promote social sector reform and development, the House of Representatives recognised the need to address the multi-faceted challenges across the various segments of the education sector, one of which is technical education.

“In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the critical role that technical and vocational education plays in national development.”

“It is no longer sufficient for our educational institutions to merely impart theoretical knowledge; we must also equip our youths with practical skills that will enable them to thrive in a fast-evolving global economy that is characterized by stiff competition.”

“Therefore, the establishment of these institutions is a crucial step in our resolve to bridge the gap between knowledge and employment”.

According to Dr Abbas, the proposed Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State is expected to provide essential training opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in science, technical education and management science, adding that it is envisaged that this Polytechnic will focus on equipping individuals with management, technical and entrepreneurial skills, necessary for fostering innovation, and economic growth and development.

Similarly, he said, the proposed National College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Illela, Sokoto State will address specific needs of those seeking entrepreneurial knowledge and skills tailored to meet local business needs.

He said “as a border community, establishing this institution in Illela will not only boost commercial activities and international trade, it will also take our youths out of poverty, unemployment and cross-border crimes such as banditry, trafficking, smuggling and drug abuse, ensuring their creative energy is channeled to productive ventures”.

“Overall, by aligning educational programs with regional economic activities, we can empower communities through skill acquisition and development while also addressing unemployment challenges. Let me therefore assure you that the House will continue to support every effort that seeks to improve the quality and access to all forms of education in Nigeria.

Chairman of the House Committee on Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Fuad Lagunda said the two bills strongly align with the quest by the House for strategic educational progress and sustainable human capital development in Nigeria.

He added that the passage of these bills into law would adequately ensure that our youths are technologically empowered to strategically address the complex challenges of
unemployment, wealth or income inequality, and chronic poverty in our society.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji