BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Steel Development has trained 700 Nigerian youths with practical skills tailored to the steel and metals sector.
The training in core technical disciplines, including Welding and Fabrication, Industrial Foundry and Metallurgy, Instrumentation, Control Systems, and Metallurgical Maintenance and other key areas was aimed to bridge the skills gap within Nigeria’s metals industry.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, spoke at the official closing of the maiden edition of the Ministry’s Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Boot Camp, held at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, Anambra State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Tine-Iulun M.A, the Minister said that the initiative represents a significant stride in the nation’s collective effort to rejuvenate Nigeria’s steel industry and empower the youths with the skills necessary for national development.
Prince Audu commended the dedication, resilience, and discipline shown by the trainees during the course of the intensive program.
He expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment through technical and vocational education.
“This boot-camp was not just about skills acquisition and equipment empowerment; it was about character development, discipline, and the cultivation of a mindset geared towards innovation, entrepreneurship, and national service. Our strategic aim is to build a pool of competent, patriotic young people who can drive Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel sector forward,” he said.
He stressed that for the country to realize its vision for the steel sector, it must invest in human capital, adding that the Bootcamp Training and Empowerment Programme is a testament to the Federal Government commitment to developing a skilled workforce.
The Minister asserted that by equipping the youths with practical skills in welding and metallurgy, the nation is laying the foundation for a self-reliant and industrialized Nigeria.
While highlighting significant achievements of the Ministry under his watch, he said that the strategic aim is to evolve over time, a pool of competent, patriotic young Nigerians with the passion to drive forward the emerging Nigerian metallurgical and steel sector towards a $1 trillion USD economy as envisioned by Mr. President by 2030.
Prince Audu commended the facilitators of the training programme for providing the enabling environment and technical expertise for the smooth execution of the maiden programme and tasked the graduates to be good ambassadors and pioneers of a new wave of industrial revitalization.
“Let your actions reflect the values of diligence, excellence, and patriotism you have imbibed here. As you receive your starter packs today, let them symbolize not an end, but a new beginning — the beginning of your journey into productivity, creativity, and national impact”, the Minister said.
The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Christine Udechukwu commended the Ministry for the laudable initiative of equipping young Nigerians with skills to solve problems and create wealth.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Steel, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, represented by Chief Etiebat Nwachukwu, said the Bootcamp Training should be an Annual Intervention Programme, stating that the Ministry will get legislative backing for its sustainability.
He added that the programme represents Federal Government efforts to ensure continuous youth development to drive the progressive agenda.
In his remarks, the Director Metallurgical Inspectorate Department, Engr. Frederick Ewa, who presented an overview of the bootcamp, said the initiative was not just a training programme, but a movement, a clarion call to action, designed to catalyze the rebirth of Nigeria’s metals and steel sector by investing in its most invaluable resource.
He disclosed that a total of 258,833 applications were received across the country, from which 700 youths were selected through a rigorous, transparent, merit-driven process.
These young men and women were trained in four strenuous batches here at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, a citadel of excellence in metallurgical education and practice. He enjoined the graduates to go out and ignite industries, illuminate communities, and forge the future Nigeria deserves.
The General Course Representative of the programme, Esemuede Omoruyi, thanked the Federal Government for its resolute focus on human capital development and affirmed the graduates commitment to translate the investment into tangible progress.