From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the Centre for Human Resource Development and Empowerment Initiative (CHRDEI) have successfully trained 185 students in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), empowering them with the skills necessary to excel in the 21st century.
At the 28th graduation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, emphasized the importance of embracing modern technology and updating curricula to meet international standards.
He praised the partnership between NOUN and CHRDEI, saying, “Two heads are better than one, and our youths must embrace modern technology to strive in this century.”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Sammani Butswat urged the graduates to appreciate the opportunity and apply their skills effectively, promising a lifelong vocation.
He commended the founder and initiator of CHRDEI for providing the necessary skills to the teeming youth, making them self-employed.
Director of CHRDEI, Dr. Muhammad Ali, encouraged the students to reflect on their knowledge and skills, and urged the Kaduna state government to partner with them in skills training for human capital development.
He emphasized the need for effective collaboration to provide a fountain for human capital development, which will catalyze social and economic transformation in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large.
Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, congratulated the students and promised to collaborate with the centers to champion human capital development in the state.
He acknowledged the challenges facing the government in providing meaningful employment and opportunities for personal development, and expressed his commitment to addressing these issues.
The Chairman of the occasion, Honourable Barrister Mahmud Lawal Ismaila, commended the Kaduna state government for its efforts in education, including the allocation of 26% of the state budget to education and the establishment of skills acquisition centers.
The event was attended by community leaders, security agencies, and the Nigerian Defence Academy, and highlighted the importance of education and skills development in Nigeria.