Youth Empowerment: Obaseki inaugurates 13-man SPSC, SCU World Bank IDEAS Project  

…charges group to prepare people for jobs in the real sector

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a 13-man State Project Steering Committee (SPSC) and the State Coordinating Unit of the World Bank Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project.

During the inauguration, the governor said his administration has engaged both local and international agencies to source for more resources to develop capacity of young people, which will enable them obtain jobs in the real sector.

“The United Nations through the World Bank is supporting the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Government and some selected states to promote technical and vocational education in Nigeria,” he said.

Obaseki expressed excitement over the World Bank’s IDEAS Project, which he said would assist his administration to accelerate programmes targeted at youth empowerment.

According to him, the state government is building the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) with the support of some partners, adding that the IDEAS Project has prompted the state to embark on rehabilitation and building of other technical colleges.

He noted, “We have decided on three other technical colleges, namely; Eguaholor in Isi, Uhunmwode LGA; the technical college at Irrua in Esan Central LGA and the technical college at Igarra in Akoko-Edo LGA.

“IDEAS Project needs to focus on collaborating with us in training teachers to impart technical education knowledge and create a culture of technical education. This can’t be driven by the government alone but through collaboration with the private sector to prepare the youths for a great future.”

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Christopher Adesotu, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee, pledging that the team will work towards actualising various initiatives and programmes of the state government especially in the areas of skills acquisition, innovation and development of programmes in Government Science and Technical Colleges in the state.

The State Project Coordinator for Edo IDEAS, Blessing Osahon-Osemwota, said the project is geared towards enhancing the quality and relevance of skills in the country, noting, “The IDEAS project is in six states across the federation, namely; Edo, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, Gombe and Kano.”

National Project Coordinator, Blessing Ehi Ogusu, said IDEAS will reduce the rate of unemployment among youths as well as improve technical college and the informal sector.

While congratulating the Edo State Government on her status as the first state in Nigeria to inaugurate a steering committee for the project, representative of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Engr. Suleiman Yusuf, said the project will groom young people, adding that skill acquisition is now a ‘global currency.’

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