BY JULIET EKWENUGO, Kaduna
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Kaduna State Government for establishing vocational skills centres across the state to provide young people with practical skills.
NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, gave the commendation when the association inspected a vocational skills centre in Kaduna.
Afeez said NANS was in the state for an extraordinary Senate meeting and used the opportunity to inspect infrastructure provided by the state government.
He said the centre demonstrated the importance of complementing classroom education with vocational training and equipping young people with practical skills.
According to him, about 4,000 students had graduated from the skills centres located across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Afeez commended the facilities at the centre, including hostels, a cafeteria, workshops and a clinic, as well as the application process.
He said the infrastructure demonstrated the attention being given to youth development and practical skills acquisition in the state.
The NANS president said the centre offered training in areas including solar installation, carpentry and woodwork, among others.
He added that the centre also produced school uniforms, desks and office furniture, which he said could help reduce government expenditure.
Describing the facility as impressive, Afeez said NANS had not encountered a similar facility during its engagements across the country.
“What we saw here is excellent. In fact, it is beyond what words can express,” he said.
He commended Governor Uba Sani for bringing vocational training closer to students and residents through the establishment of skills centres across the state.
Afeez urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills acquired and teach others who did not have access to the centres.
He also urged residents of Kaduna State to support initiatives aimed at improving vocational education and empowering young people.
