Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Director of the UNIZIK Centre for Capital Market Studies, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, has said that the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project, currently being implemented in Anambra State, will engage thousands of youths in gainful employment.
The IDEAS Project is a Federal Government initiative championed by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank.
The project, which is also being implemented in other states across the country, aims to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by fostering industry-relevant skills, improving training quality, and promoting entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the flag-off of Cohort Batch 2 training at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Onyeizugbe described the project as a “game changer” that would help curb the rising rate of youth unemployment in society.
According to him, “The programme is a game changer as far as youth empowerment is concerned in Nigeria, and the impact has already begun to manifest.”
He disclosed that at his centre, no fewer than 150 trainees are currently acquiring skills in fashion design and garment making, noting that within one month, some participants had already begun sewing independently.
“It is very huge. Considering that we have 11 Training Service Providers in Anambra, some with over 250 trainees, the overall impact will be significant.
“We have concluded Cohort One, and this is Cohort Two. By the time Cohort Three begins, thousands of people will be gainfully employed in Anambra State, not to mention other states in Nigeria,” he said.
The university don described the project as a strategic intervention in Nigeria’s development, noting that it offers a practical solution to youth unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with market-relevant skills aligned with national standards.
A representative of the Project National Coordinating Unit, Eldad Domshak, in her address, emphasized that the training provided to youths at no cost is an investment that will yield transformative results.
She said, “It is a pivotal step in our national efforts to empower Nigerian youths with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-evolving world.
“Through this initiative, we have reaffirmed our resolve to tackle unemployment and foster innovation for more inclusive development across our great nation.
“The IDEAS-TVET initiative is currently training about 40,000 Nigerian youths in various skills, including fashion design and garment making, vulcanizing and tyre repairs, computer hardware and GSM repairs, among others, across the country.
“The programme consists of classroom sessions, internships for real-world experience, and entrepreneurship mentorship to equip trainees with business management and self-employment skills.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, in his brief remarks, urged beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and allow the programme to serve as a springboard for their success.
“God has brought you here to learn in a way that will positively transform your lives. This is a programme designed to empower you to live better lives,” he said.
He added that the university would award certificates to successful trainees and assured them of partnership opportunities for those venturing into entrepreneurship.
