By Isaiah Eka
Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment towards providing knowledge and skill-based education for the youths.
Mamman made the expression at the end of a technical and vocation education training camp for girls in Uyo on Thursday.
He said that implementing knowledge and skill-based education would promote rapid economic and industrial growth of the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 290 students drawn from 29 federal science technical colleges, participated in the two-week programme with the theme: “Painting for the Future”
Mamman said that the purpose of the camp was to stimulate innovative and creative abilities in female students, and to encourage healthy competition among them.
The minister further said that the camp would trigger female students’ interest in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
He said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was determined to producing students with both certificates and skills.
“Our youths must become self-employed after graduation. We must align with modern work demands which is knowledge and skills driven.
“The current administration recognises the role of women, skills acquisition and development to economic and industrial growth,” he said.
Mamman urged female students to show commitment to their studies, saying, “statistics show that there is decrease in female students performance in examinations in the country ”
“At the end of this programme, I have strong belief that you are better equipped. I am proud to say that the future of our great nation is very assured.
“This government is making the training of our young ones and the female youth a priority,” he said.
The minister commended African Development Bank for partnering the Federal Ministry of Education on the project.
In her remarks, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, the Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom, described the programme as timely and well-intended.
Etiebet urged the participants to take the lessons from the programme seriously, and to use it to add value to themselves in the interest of their future.
“I commend the education ministry and its partners for organising this programme, it is indeed a good omen,” she said.