Vice President Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities and expanding economic prospects through reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu led administration.
Speaking today at the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Shettima stressed the relevance of technical and vocational skills acquisition in addressing youth unemployment and driving national development.
He said the danger of ignoring technical and vocational skills was one Nigeria cannot afford, noting that with President Tinubu’s economic reforms and increased state allocations, the country is laying the groundwork for more prosperity.
He highlighted the historical success of Nigeria’s agrarian economy and urged a renewed focus on agriculture and skills training to foster economic growth.
He commended the institute for equipping over 9,000 youths with skills in its three years of operation, adding that the graduands symbolize the administration’s dedication to poverty reduction, job creation, and economic transformation.
During his visit, Shettima flagged off the distribution of relief materials to flood victims and presented tractors and paddy rice to farmers across Nasarawa’s 13 local government areas.
He praised Governor Abdullahi Sule for his visionary leadership, particularly in promoting agricultural development and peaceful coexistence among the state’s diverse communities.
Shettima also toured the Olam warehouse, which houses produce from the state’s Nasarawa Rice Farm project, and commended the initiative as a model for agricultural transformation.
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In his remarks, Governor Sule highlighted the state government’s focus on bridging skills gaps in critical sectors to empower young Nigerians.
Furthermore, former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, lauded the state’s efforts to reduce poverty and empower its youth.
More so, the Executive Director of the vocational institute, Daniel Asele, disclosed that 1,000 graduands from the 2024 programme had acquired skills in welding, tailoring, ICT, and other fields, positioning them to tackle modern challenges.
The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd) also pledged the traditional council’s loyalty to federal government initiatives, while other dignitaries, including Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and NECA Director General, Adewale Oyerinde, praised the impact of the skills development programmes on industrializing the economy.
The event featured the presentation of start-up packs and certificates to the graduands, signalling the administration’s drive to upskill and reskill the Nigerian workforce.
