Borno Govt, UNICEF commence training of 4,800 out of school youth
By Daida Iliya
The United Nations Children Education Fund UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong Nguyen says four thousand, eight hundred out-of-school youths and adolescents will be trained in the next two years in Borno state.
Nguyen stated this during the flagging off ceremony for training of the first batch of one thousand adolescent youths at the vocational enterprise institute in Muna, Jere local government area.
Represented by the Officer in charge, Emmanuel Sesay, Phuong Nguyen explained that the training under the Safe, Inclusive Learning Skills for All (SILSA) funder by the Government of Norway, is aimed at improving the learning skills of vulnerable youth in areas of technical, vocational and life skills to enable them become self reliant.
According to her, 3,200 beneficiaries would be trained in 2024 while the remaining 1,600 out-of-school youths will have their capacity build in 2025.
“Through the funding from the Government of Norway, UNICEF will be supporting Borno state government through the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to train the youth in foundational literacy and numeracy, digital and job specific skills ” Nguyen said.
The UNICEF Chief assured that each of the beneficiaries will be provided with starter packs after graduation to enable them pursue their education and engage in businesses to build their career.
Borno state Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Alhaji Lawan Wakilbe represented by Hajiya Ya Karu Mustapha said the participants were selected from three local government areas of Bama, Mafa and Jere.
He remarked that youth will undergo three months training in trade such as tailoring and fashion design, barbing and hair dressing, welding, aluminium fabrication among others.
Alhaji Wakilbe urged the trainees to be focused and ensure regular attendance to acquire skills that will transform their lives.
Two of the participants, Zara Modu and Alkali Babagana thanked the state government and donor agencies for the support and promised to utilise the given opportunity to learn entrepreneurship and technical skills.
