
Gov Zulum presenting kit to one of the graduands at the ceremony on Tuesday
… Shares N1.2b kits, grants
…Approves automatic employment for 64 best graduates
…Plans conversion of Muna Vocational Enterprise to Monotechnic
A total of 832 artisans, mostly orphaned from the over one decade long Boko Haram insurgency, have graduated from the Borno State Vocational Enterprise Institute established by Governor Babagana Zulum administration.
A statement from the Government House Press Unit, said the Tuesday ceremony was presided over by the governor.
According to the statement, the trainees were selected from across the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State and have undergone training in 14 different trades; among them, 54 graduates specialized in aluminum fabrication, 29 in bricklaying, 48 in carpentry and 73 in information technology.
Others include 41 specializing 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. At the same time, plans are being made to revive vocational centres in Dikwa, Kaga, Ngala, Gajiram and Monguno.
The governor noted that vocational institutes were established to address the challenges of youth unemployment and provide a means of livelihood to the people.
“Upon assuming office, one of the primary objectives of my administration has been youth empowerment. We were acutelya ware 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,” Zulum said.
He added, “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 funding allocated by Governor Zulum to the centre, the output across all centres is targeted at over 4,000 artisans annually.
… Shares N1.2b worth of kits, grants
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum approved the distribution of starter kits worth N847,277,297 to each of the 832 trained artisans in addition to another 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 832 graduating artisans getting N50,000.
The governor equally approved automatic employment for the 64 best artisans who have achieved over 90%.
“I understand from the remarks by the Hon. commissioner that 64 out of 832 have scored above 90% in both their specialized trades and the academic assessment. I, therefore, direct that all 64 of them should be employed and deployed to other vocational institutes across the state,” Zulum said.
Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to process modalities for converting Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute to a Monotechnic with the capacity to award a National Diploma.
