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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Federal Government has commissioned an Automotive Training Centre for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Birnin Kebbi with the graduation of 100 youths selected across 21 local government areas on mechatronics.
The centre was constructed at the ICT centre, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and investment, Sen John Owan Enoh, said inauguration of the centre was part of the government’s commitment to the industrial development and human capital advancement in the country.
“This occasion is not merely the unveiling of a physical structure; it represents the opening of new opportunities for innovation, technical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employment creation and sustainable economic growth for the people of Kebbi State and the entire North-West geopolitical zone.
“Kebbi State occupies a unique and strategic position in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. Renowned as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural states and the nation’s rice production hub, Kebbi has demonstrated that agriculture remains a powerful catalyst for economic prosperity and food security.
“The state is equally blessed with abundant fishery resources, rich mineral deposits, extensive inland waterways and vibrant commercial activities that continue to support livelihoods across the region. Kebbi is also globally recognised for hosting the world-famous Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, one of Africa’s oldest and most celebrated cultural festivals.
“This iconic event showcases the ingenuity, resilience and rich cultural heritage of the Kebbi people while attracting thousands of local and international visitors annually.”
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Governor Nasir Idris, represented by his deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar, explained that the commissioning had shown the determination of the Federal Government to the industrialisation of the nation.
Idris noted that the centre had a singular mission, which was to provide skills to teeming youths across the country. He stressed that by equipping the youths with the art of diagnostic and maintenance tools, the nation was preparing the youths not only for tomorrow, but also for the future transportation in Nigeria.
Earlier, Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, disclosed that 100 youths across 21 LGAs in Kebbi were trained on CNG under the guide of the agency, in partnership with PADSON company.
According to him, “the NADDC is statutorily mandated to facilitate the sustainable development of Nigeria’s automotive industry through the effective utilisation of local human and material resources. In pursuit of this mandate, the Council has consistently prioritised skills development, technical capacity building, technology transfer and youth empowerment as critical drivers of industrial growth and national development.
“To support this objective, the Council has established automotive training centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country, including Kebbi State, to serve as hubs for automotive skills acquisition, technical innovation, entrepreneurship development and workforce preparation for the evolving automotive industry.”
Chief Executive Officer of PADSON, Chief. Hezekiah Adediji urged the people of the state to patronise the centre and commended federal and state governments for the successful inauguration of the centre.
Adediji commended the state government for carefully selecting the trained youths across the 21 local government areas of the state, stressing that they had gone through proper training and were ready to discharge their acquired skills.
