By TINA PHINEAS, Yola
The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training Programme in Adamawa State, with 355 beneficiaries selected to acquire practical vocational and technical skills aimed at reducing unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods.
The programme, an initiative of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), was inaugurated in Yola South by the State Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Adamawa State Social Investment Programme Agency (ADSSIPA), Mrs. Mary Yuwadi.
Speaking at the occasion, Yuwadi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the Renewed Hope initiative and appreciated Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for providing the enabling environment for its successful implementation in Adamawa State.
She said the programme was designed to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with marketable vocational and technical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and contribute to national development.
“This programme is not just about learning a trade; it is about equipping young Nigerians with practical, lifelong skills that will make them self-reliant, improve their livelihoods and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of their communities and the nation,” she said.
She explained that the National Social Investment Programme comprises four components: N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), all aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth and improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
According to her, beneficiaries were selected through a transparent online application process, during which applicants chose their preferred vocational skills before being deployed to accredited training centres.
The beneficiaries will receive practical training in plumbing, masonry, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, tailoring, baking and confectionery, catering, carpentry, auto mechanics, agricultural technology, housekeeping, vulcanising and other vocational trades.
Yuwadi said seven accredited training centres across Adamawa were selected to implement the programme, including Adamawa Skill Acquisition Centre, Yola South; Vocational Technical Training Centre, Mayo Belwa; Vocational Technical Training Centre, Jibiro in Girei; The Binder Knowledge Center International; Vocational Training Centre, Numan; NDE/MDG Skill Acquisition Centre, Michika; and the Federal Polytechnic Centre, Mubi.
She urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity by acquiring skills that would make them economically independent.
“I encourage every beneficiary to put in their best throughout this training. Master the skills you have chosen, become self-reliant and contribute positively to the growth of your communities and the nation at large,” she said.
Also speaking, the Adamawa State N-Power Programme Manager, Mr. Juniadu Kachalla, said all preparations for the implementation of the programme had been completed.
Kachalla said beneficiaries underwent a rigorous selection process, while accredited training centres and certified facilitators registered with relevant professional bodies were engaged to ensure quality vocational training.
“The training centres were strategically selected across the three senatorial zones to ensure wider participation, while beneficiaries will undergo two weeks of intensive practical training before proceeding on a three-month internship in their chosen vocational fields,” he said.
He noted that the internship component would provide beneficiaries with hands-on experience, improve their employability and strengthen their capacity to establish small businesses, thereby contributing to local economic development.
Beneficiaries of the programme, Susan Artimas Pwakangdi and Enson Elias Mijah, described the initiative as timely, saying it would provide young people with practical skills needed to become self-reliant and economically productive.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government for giving us this opportunity to learn skills that can change our lives. This programme has come at the right time, especially for young people who are eager to build a better future.
“We are committed to making the most of this opportunity so that we can become self-employed, support our families and contribute positively to the development of our communities,” they said.
Our correspondent reports that the programme is expected to enhance youth employability, promote entrepreneurship and support the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce poverty through skills acquisition and sustainable livelihoods.