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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Education, with support from the World Bank, has empowered a total of 1,475 Benue Youth with skill under its skill acquisition program, the IDEAS TVET Training Initiative.
The training program which commenced June 15, 2026, was flagged off in Makurdi,
the Benue State capital on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Government Model Secondary School Makurdi, and features Pace Setters Bedding and Interior Limited, Wilder Bloom Limited Quality Cakes and Craft Academy, Topcy Cakes and Events, GodCom Ventures, Renee Trend Styles and Confectioneries, Lentz Photography, Canny Path Technologies, Black Crow Nigeria Limited, Nennity Ltd and Anaty Technology Limited as Training Services Providers (TSPs).
The National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, who spoke at the flag-off of Cohort 3 of the IDEAS-TVET training on Friday, said about 80,000 Nigerians, with 1,475, being from Benue, have so far benefited from skills training under the IDEAS project, a program designed to promote employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Ogwu, who was represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Education Ministry, Haruna Tahiru, said “Today is not simply about announcing another training programme, but about creating opportunities, building human capital, strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem, and equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy.”
According to her, the project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, had invested in infrastructure, equipment and human capacity development across the technical and vocational education sector.
She noted that about 4,000 technical teachers and instructors have been upskilled, while workshops in technical colleges have been renovated and equipped with essential facilities and equipment to improve practical training.
She said beneficiaries of the IDEAS-TVET Initiative had been trained in wide range of areas areas including fashion design, ICT, agriculture, hospitality, construction, electrical installation, automotive related trades, welding and fabrication, plumbing and solar installation and other market relevant skills.
The achievements, she said, demonstrate an important commitment by the Federal Government and its development partners to make skills acquisition a credible pathway to productive livelihood and national development.
Ogwu urged the new trainees to take the opportunity seriously by attending classes regularly, practising their skills and respecting their instructors and fellow trainees. She reminded them that they must maintain at least 65 per cent attendance every month to qualify for the N30,000 monthly stipend provided under the programme by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education.
She said the programme was not merely about obtaining certificates, but about equipping participants with practical skills capable of generating income, creating employment and improving their livelihoods. Ogwu also urged the Training Service Providers and facilitators to maintain high standards and provide effective hands-on training, stressing that the ultimate success of the project would be measured by how many beneficiaries acquire skills, secure jobs, establish businesses and contribute to their communities.
The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management Benue State, Mrs Margaret Adamu, represented by the Director , Science and Technology in the ministry, Mrs Dooshima Awai expressed Benue State Government’s support for a skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering young people with practical skills for self-reliance and employment.
He said the Ministry was pleased to partner with the training service providers, noting that the initiative aligned with its mandate to promote science, technology and innovation in the state. She commended the organizers for their commitment to skills development and said the programme was consistent with the government’s broader agenda of youth empowerment, job creation, self-reliance and technological development.
The Commissioner for Communication and Digital Economy, Amanda Kwaghgba represented by one of the Directors, Paul Ameh, expressed gladness that Benue indigenes are part of the training programme, describing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia as problem solvers saying that permitting the Ministry of Education to embark on such training is the testimony to his claims.
Kwaghgba said as a ministry, they will support and partner any organization or agency that is working to train the Benue people to better their lives.
The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monday Egbe represented by the Director of Technology, Dr Grace Aernyi said hails the federal government IDEAS program for the promotion of skills acquisition saying it aligns with the state government agenda on youth development. The Commissioner described it as very impactful and welcomed development and wished the participants a successful training period.
The Programme Manager, Godcom Ventures, Mrs Comfort Ochepo, on behalf of the Training Services Providers (TSP), welcomed dignitaries and trainees and explained that the Federal Government approved the skills acquisition programme through TPS to train young people between the ages of 12 and 35, particularly those who are unemployed, awaiting admission into tertiary institutions, or seeking to acquire vocational skills.
Mrs Ochepo, who noted that the initiative is aimed at equipping beneficiaries with practical skills that can enable them to become gainfully employed, said the six months program had already commenced two months ago with participants receiving stipends to support their transportation.
She expressed confidence that the programme would contribute to reducing social vices by engaging young people in productive activities, particularly in Benue State, urging journalists to publicize the Federal and Governments’ efforts to empower young Nigerians through skills acquisition and vocational training.
Speaking to our correspondent after the flag off, one of the service providers, and Director of Topcy Cakes and Events, Mrs Sarah Ejembi, said her centre is training 100 unemployed Nigerian youths in baking and confectionery under the initiative supported by the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Mrs Ejembi, who is also the Deputy Executive Director of Entrepreneurs Network Nigeria, said the trainees had acquired more than 30 skills, including the production of pastries, cakes, juices and smoothies adding that some participants ajhave begin producing and selling their products, thereby generating income and becoming more self-reliant.
She disclosed that the trainees receive a monthly stipend of N30,000, which was increased from N22,500, to support their participation in the programme. She said the training is expected to end before the end of the year, after which participants will receive certification from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) under the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) standard.
She further also disclosed plans to facilitate additional certification through the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), urging unemployed youths across the nation and Benue in particular, to take advantage of the programme by contacting their State Ministries of Education or designated training service providers for registration.
Some of the participants, Precious Ogezi and QueenAnn Udele, trainees with Topcy Cakes and Events, applauded the program saying they have greatly benefited from the training, particularly in planning, budgeting and pricing. Ogezi said the programme helped her understand the difference between labour costs and profit and enabled her to increase her profit margin, urging youths to take advantage of future editions of the training programme.
The traditional rulers, Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule represented by the District Head of Wailomayo Chief Solomon Who and the Ad’Idoma, Chief Sunday Amodu represented by Chief Obande Ikoyi, all applauded President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia for bringing such a program to Benue.
They expressed confidence that it would gainfully engage the youths and reduce youth idleness and incidences of crime and criminalities to the barest minimum.
