From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Kaduna witnessed the graduation of 201 students from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Center for Human Resources Development (CHRD) in collaboration with the Center for Human Resources Development and Empowerment Initiative (CHRDEI).
The ceremony celebrated the successful completion of various skills acquisition programs.
In his address, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, commended the initiative and pledged the government’s continued support for NOUN and the CHRD. He emphasized the importance of credible and competent personnel to implement the government’s beneficial programs.
Representing the Vice President, Majority Leader of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Honourable Ahmed Mohammed Chokali, acknowledged the relevance of the training in line with the developmental strides of the President’s agenda. He expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the institutions involved.
During the graduation ceremony, Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, highlighted the significance of the event. With 201 deserving trainees receiving certificates, he emphasized the increasing confidence in the competence and integrity of NOUN.
Professor Oduma Orji Oduma, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic of NOUN, further emphasized the role of NOUN in developing competencies for the new global order driven by information and emerging technologies. He explained that the graduating class had received training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Web Design.
The NOUN Vice-Chancellor stressed the university’s commitment to providing wider access to education and lifelong learning. He also mentioned the growing interest in micro-credentialing and the efforts of the CHRDEI in mapping career paths and quantifying skills.
The Director of CHRD, Associate Professor Aminu Umar, highlighted the center’s role in providing formal and informal education through training, collaboration, and partnership. CHRD aimed to enhance individual and organizational productivity, build capacity, and respond effectively to current and future demands.
Umar emphasized that CHRD inn collaboration CHRDEI is presenting basic certificate of completion to 201 graduands comprising of 167 in ICT and Web design, 26 in Tailoring, 4 in Printing and 4 in Embroidery.
Dr. Muhammad Ali, Founder of CHRDEI, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the graduating students. He emphasized the importance of empowerment, civic participation, and job creation for the youth population.
The graduation ceremony included goodwill messages from academia, the presentation of certificates to the graduates, and the distribution of NOUN advocacy items to the Vice President and other guests.
This event showcased the commitment of NOUN, CHRD, and CHRDEI to empowering individuals with essential skills, contributing to national development, and creating a society where self-dependence and productivity thrive.