MoU: Periscoping the gains of GSU, NYSC North-East Skill Acquisition Collaboration
By Chima Azubuike
To many developed climes around the world the quest for formal education is incomplete without imbibing relevant skills that will make beneficiaries and in this case graduates self reliant. There is no gain saying that no Nation can succeed without placing emphasis on entrepreneurship. Show me a developed economy, I will point out five policies that was used to enthrone skill acquisition, is it China? You will recall the deliberate efforts, reforms, sacrifices.
The NYSC North-East Skill Acquisition Centre located around the Gombe-Bauchi expressway, just by the trailer park has been equipped with relevant tools that would impact beneficiaries in their chosen skill sets.
The facility which was built with support from Access Bank as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility in 2018, with the singular aim of improving lives and adding values to Corps Members posted to Gombe State and the region in general.
Some of the skills to be imbibed include; tailoring and knitting, food processing, ICT and phone repair, automobile general services, wielding and fabrication, carpentry and barbing and hair dressing.
With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), by the NYSC and Gombe State University, students undergoing studies in the institution would benefit from the partnership especially while undertaking practicals in vocational skills.
According to the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, Prof. Aliyu Usman El-Nafaty, the collaboration with the scheme would see to the training of their students with various skills irrespective of their field of study.
This simply means if you are studying Mathematics in the University there is likelihood that you would be encouraged to train for instance in wielding. So, imagine what may happen when such a student graduates from school, rounds off national service without a job he or she would open a wielding shop before you say jack he or she becomes an employer of labour.
El-Nafaty said the training programme which will commence soon would be well organised and extended to interested Youths outside the university, adding that sensitisation would be carried out to get everyone informed about the facility and programmes.
The Director-General of NYSC Brig.- Gen. Mohammed Fadah, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services Barr. Ahmed Ibrahim Tijjani, said the signing of the MoU is a demonstration of the scheme’s commitment to the empowerment of youths for self employment and wealth creation.
Fadah, noted that the partnership would ensure optimal use of the facility which is fully equipped with various skills machines and tools.
On his part, the Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Mr. Omotade Ayodele Folorunsho, described the MoU as a landmark achievement, noting that it has the potential of changing the narrative of youth unemployment in the country especially in the North-East region.
Folorunsho, said it would open a new vista for organisations to contribute to the provision of quality empowerment for the youths.
However, Alot of times, we tend to blame Government for not providing an enabling environment but what other enabling environment is better than this if well harnessed. I used to fall in this category of people who feel the youth in developing climes such as Nigeria, don’t have the much needed support to thrive, this changed recently when a friend pointed out that there are so many opportunities for graduates to become whatever they want to become. His only regret was that we don’t harness chances, he asked very pointed question how many Corps Members continue their after camp SAED training after the mandatory three-week orientation course?
It is imperative to note that the long term effect of the MoU would be the breeding of a new set of entrepreneurs poised to changing the narrative of the youth in the production sector of our economy. This is certain as Corps Members at the end of their national service and other youths will become employers of labour and also contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of our nation. However, with this collaboration in the next five years Nigeria, is expected to be on it way out of the bracket of consuming economy towards taking it place as production entity among the comity of Nations.
Just like anything Nigeria, where workability is sometimes the challenge. Now that the MoU has been signed between the two institutions there should be deliberate effort from both ends in ensuring that the agreement is kept, with the goal of harnessing its original gains. Once this is achieved then Fadah and El-nafaty, can merry for spearheading this developmental stride even after their tenures because they have succeeded in helping the country retrace her steps.
Azubuike is a development journalist, he writes from Gombe.
