Gov. Zulum inaugurates vocational institute to empower youths in Mafa
From Sani Gazas Chinade, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has officially opened a vocational training institute in Mafa Local Government, equipped to train up to 600 youths annually.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Friday evening, marking the launch of the ‘Vocational Enterprise Institute Mafa.’ This institute is designed to provide comprehensive training in 15 different trades, with a capacity to accommodate between 450 to 600 trainees each year.
The institute’s curriculum encompasses a wide array of specialized training programs, including auto mechanics, welding fabrication, solar installation, electrical installation, plumbing and pipe-fitting, tailoring and embroidery, leatherwork, building construction, agricultural technology, aluminum fabrication, AC/refrigeration, knitting and crocheting, carpentry and joinery, cosmetology, and ICT.
In his remarks, Governor Zulum highlighted that, alongside vocational training, students will also acquire fundamental literacy and numeracy skills. The aim of this initiative is to empower the youth with valuable vocational skills, which, in turn, will stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investments, and contribute to the creation of a sustainable and prosperous future for Borno State.
The governor expressed his enthusiasm for this project and stressed the crucial role of vocational education in driving economic growth and reducing unemployment rates. He emphasized that the institute is expected to be a catalyst for innovation, self-reliance, and socio-economic transformation in the region.
Since 2019, Borno State has witnessed the construction of five mega-size vocational training institutes, in addition to 19 smaller technical and vocational training institutes across the state. These institutions aim to promote skill development, create job opportunities, and empower the youth, playing a significant role in the state’s development.
