A total of 832 artisans, mostly orphaned as a result of the over one decade-long Boko Haram insurgency, have graduated from the Borno State Enterprise Institute.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday at the Muna Vocational Enterprise Institute, along the Dikwa-Gamboru Highway in Jere Local Government Area of the state.
The trainees, who were selected across the 27 local government areas of the state, have undergone training in 14 different trades.
Fifty-four of the trainees specialised in aluminium fabrication; 29 in bricklaying; 48 in carpentry; 73 in information technology; 41 in barbing; 46 in electrical work; 85 in leatherworks; 40 in plumbing; 72 in mechanics; 67 in solar technology; 148 in tailoring; 18 in tie and dye; 59 in welding and 53 in hairdressing.
In his address, Zulum said similar vocational institutes were established in Biu, Shani, Mafa and Magumeri.
The governor said plans were also being made to revive vocational centres in Dikwa, Kaga, Ngala, Gajiram and Monguno.
He noted that the vocational institutes were established to address the challenges of youth unemployment and provide a means of livelihood to the people.
He stated, “Upon assuming office, one of the primary objectives of my administration has been youth empowerment.
“We were acutely aware of the devastating impact of insurgency on our communities, leaving many without means of livelihood and leading to widespread unemployment, idleness and despair. As the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.
“To address these challenges head-on, we established vocational enterprise institutes, focusing on admitting vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by the insurgency, to equip them with skills for sustainable livelihoods.”
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said with the funds allocated by Governor Zulum to the technical and vocational enterprises, the output across all centres was targeted at over 4,000 artisans annually, he equally shares N1.2bn worth of kits, grants.
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has also approved the distribution of starter kits worth N847,277,297 to each of the 832 trained artisans in addition to the N349,440,000 one-year labour-intensive public work grant that will help them attain self-reliance.
Zulum also approved N41,600,000, with each of the 832 graduating artisans getting N50,000.
The governor equally approved automatic employment for the 64 best artisans who had achieved over 90 per cent.
“I understand from the remarks by the Hon. Commissioner that 64 out of 832 have scored above 90 per cent in both their specialised trades and the academic assessment.
“I, therefore, direct that all the 64 of them should be employed and deployed to other vocational institutes across the state,” he said.
Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to process modalities for converting the Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute to a mono-technic with the capacity to award a National Diploma.
