From left; Azoshubel Veronica Beten(a beneficiary), NASENI Boss Prof M. S. Haruna, Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Ivara Esu representing the state Governor, handing over the modern installation equipment to a trainee
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna says the on-going nationwide upgrade of skills of Nigerian youths in various fields and occupations is to ensure Nigeria participate in the fourth Industrial revolution.
Prof Haruna who stated this at the training of 100 youths in “Modern Methods of Electrical Installations and Maintenance” in Calabar ,Cross River State advised youths to take their training and empowerment programme seriously to enable them contribute to industrial revolution championed by NASENI.
According to the NASENI boss, the need to get Nigerian youths equipped with skills to cope with changes in technologies and innovations could no longer be over emphasised.
He said “technology is changing and those with old skills in electrical installations are losing jobs because new techniques for both trouble-shooting and handling of electrical installations are coming to the industry”.
He said “these technologies include Artificial Intelligence(AI);Robotics; the Internet of Things(IOT); Big Data: Block Chain; Additive Manufacturing(3D Printing; Autonomous Vehicles; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; Gene Editing; 5G Network; and even Smart Grid and agitations for wireless electricity.
He said the new system of modern electrical installations and maintenance had gone beyond provision of lighting points and sockets outlets but automation remote sensing, remote control and wireless, hence the need for developing capacity of the already existing technicians.
The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Benedict Ayade who was special guest at the occasion thanked the Federal Government and NASENI for bringing the upgrade and introduction of new skills in electrical installations and maintenance to youths in Cross River State.
Prof Ayade who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu announced that the state had revived the Construction and Fabrication Academy of West Africa Building in Calabar, a building now serving as temporary site for newly established NASENI Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Development Institute(AMEDI),Calabar.
The Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Ochiglegor Igbado, Member, House of Representatives urged the trainees to take the on-going skills upgrade in electrical installations and maintenance very serious such that there would not be need any more to invite foreigners from neighbouring countries to fix electrical faults and maintain installations in the State.
A list of equipment handed over to the youths included: Complete electrical tool box, Multi-metre tester, Cordless Drilling machine, Leather handgloves and other safety equipment
Reporting by Rabi Momoh, editing by Daniel Adejo