The National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), has facilitated the training of 17 unemployed graduates from Iru Community, Iru -Victoria Island Local Council Development Area of Lagos State with vocational skills.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries graduated on Wednesday after a three-month residential training programme at the Oluponna Fish Farming and Resource Foundation (OFFER) Centre, Iwo, in Osun State.
The graduands were trained on Agribusiness (crop and livestock farming), Information Communication Technology as well as Catering and Craft.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Usman Baba, Managing Director, NETCO, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said NETCO would continue to make positive contributions to its host community.
“The objective of the NETCOPRENEUR programme is to create youth empowerment which will be of immense benefit to the indigenes of Iruland.
“The programme is designed firstly to address the current harsh economic realities and to provide an alternative means of employment through entrepreneurship.’’
The managing director, represented by Mrs Iyabo Ayobami-Ojo, Manager, Public Affairs, NETCO, advised the graduands to be honest and creative in order to stand out and be successful in their businesses.
“When you come back home, I want you to add value to your community and the nation.
“I believe if we can do this two or more years, we will be able to create employment in the system,’’ Baba said.
He said the continuity of the programme was dependent on the impact made by the graduands being the first set, adding that they must show good examples for other youths in Iruland to benefit.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Macarius Olatunji, Rector, OFFER Centre, said all hands must be on deck to salvage Nigerian youths from the frustration of unemployment and its accompanying challenges.
Olatunji said the graduands were taken through rigorous training on Business development that would enable them successfully run small and medium scale enterprises.
He said apart from the starter pack already given to them by NETCO, they would also have their business names registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“The trainees know as we do that opportunities for employment has narrowed down drastically in the society. All of them are experienced men and women.
“The opportunity NETCO gave them through OFFER Centre is one I am sure that they will not forget in a jiffy. They came, they saw and they conquered.
“What is left for them now is to turn the opportunity given to them into gold. That, I must say, we can’t wait to see happen,” Olatunji said.
On her part, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun-Adu, Chairperson, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, represented by the Council’s Secretary, Mr Taofeek Abiola, lauded the cordial relationship between NETCO and the host community.
She enjoined the youth of the locality to take advantage of the training opportunities provided by NETCO to improve their lives and the entire community.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr Adeleke Arebi, a former Chairman, Governing Council, Industrial Training Fund, said vocational skills acquisition was important to meaningfully engage graduates in the country.
Arebi urged the graduands to make use of the opportunity provided by the training to better their lives and contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the graduands, Mr Turner Ibrahim, thanked NETCO and OFFER Centre for the opportunity given to them, promising that they would use it for good of the nation. (NAN)
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