Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Maiwalima Sani Haruna has performed the ground-breaking and foundation-laying ceremony of the NASENI Skill Acquisition Center in Bagudo local government area of Kebbi State.
In his opening remarks at the event on Wednesday, Haruna described the establishment of the agency as a way of tackling unemployment and drugs addiction, political thuggery, and other forms of social vices among the teaming Youth in the country, adding that the future of nations and societies is predicted and reflected on the attitude and preparedness of the young men and women who are the leaders of tomorrow.
“You see the foundation stone laying ceremony of the NASENI skill acquisition center, in Bagudo is the project in line with President Muhammad Buhari’s directives across thirty-six States of the Federation and the FCT.”
Prof Haruna further emphasized that the experience has shown that countries that invest adequately in technology acquisition and deployment are the leaders in socio-economic development even if they import all raw materials needs of their economy’ he added.
He said that the agency is building the capacity of its workforce and acquiring knowledge and deploying new and emerging technologies of the next industrial revolution to meet the domestic challenges.
“The ongoing skill development, Youth empowerment and the establishment of skill development centers across the country is in fulfillment of Federal Government new empowerment generation and provisions of a competent manpower for the country”
He, therefore, said that the soft components of manufacturing or knowledge-based economy are quality human resources while the needed requisite to transition Nigeria to a manufacturing economy can be categorized into four groups, such as craftsmen and women, Technician and Technologist, scientists and engineers and professional experience enough to have inquisitive minds and continuous improvement.
He stated further that the aim is to meet up with the challenges of the technology gap and provide fill the vacuum created by the shortage of artisans, Craft men, and women while the center will be adequately equipped with basic to advance modern training facilities for training competitive workforce ready for self-employment generation and entrepreneurship.
Delivery his good well message, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Chika Mallami (SAN) commended President Muhammad Buhari for establishing the agency adding that the agency has impacted the less privileged most especially the Youth and women in Kebbi State.
He stated further that no fewer than 100 Youths and women have benefited from the NASENI program on Agriculture inputs.
He applauded the NASENI vice chairman for his commitment to ensuring sanity in the program.
Responding, the Kebbi State Governor Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu thank President Muhammad Buhari for bringing development to the rural areas.
“We the people of Kebbi State are very happy with you, you gave us the University of Agriculture Zuru, College of Education in Yauri, and now another college of education Bagudo, May Almighty Allah continue to guide you and blessed your family,” he said.
