The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has successfully trained 500 youths in Cross River State on solar power installation and maintenance, with the training taking place in three locations: Calabar, Bekearra and Ogoja, making a significant contribution to the country’s sustainable energy sector.
Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, NCDMB, Planning, Research and Statistics, in his comment at the closing ceremony on Friday, hinted that the Board initiated the programme to create employment opportunities in the country, generate wealth and empower the youths to contribute to the economy of the nation.
He observed that technology, skill acquisition in trades and agriculture are some of the high-impact economic sectors.
Director, NCDMB, Planning, Research and Statistics, in a virtually delivered the keynote address, emphasised, that the unreliability of electric power is a major challenge affecting citizens’ quality of life and the success of business enterprises in Nigeria and Africa, hence the clamour for renewable energy solutions to become a major part of the energy mix.
He stated that it was important for Nigerians to prepare and position themselves for opportunities in the renewable energy space, particularly because the nation enjoys abundant sunlight.
He harped that solar power installation and maintenance training provided an alternative source of power at homes and offices to support the national power grid in addition to providing job opportunities for the youths.
Halilu further revealed that as part of the end-to-end planning for the programme, the Board has concluded arrangements to register cooperative societies for the group as well as provide shops where they would practice their trades.
According to him, “The trainees will commence business as registration of cooperatives and the provision of shops in groups for the graduates has been done.
“This empowerment programme was aimed at providing lifelong support to youths that desired to be empowered in high impact economic sectors including oil and gas, Information and Communication Technology, Agriculture, construction, and others.
The Director therefore expressed confidence in the potential of the trainee, adding that they are a pool of qualified talented youth equipped with capacities and capabilities to trouble shoot issues, proffer solutions, assemble, install and maintain solar projects that are currently largely import dependent.
He further charged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS), adding that the platform is used to select participants for human capacity building interventions and employment opportunities whenever they are available.
Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo, immediate past Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, who facilitated the NCDMB fully funded training programme in the state commended NCDMB for training youths in Cross River state.
Hon. Idagbo who was represented by Mr. Ted Inyang, in his goodwill address further congratulated the trainees, noting that energy transition is going to be the new norm for the Nigerians.
