Tinubu Reaffirms Skills Drive as NPRGS Graduates 700 in Oyo

President Bola Tinubu remains committed to skills development and sustainable livelihoods, his aide said on Friday as 700 beneficiaries graduated from a vocational training programme in Oyo State.

 

Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), gave the assurance at the graduation ceremony in Ibadan.

 

The graduates completed a 10-day intensive training programme under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

 

Arogundade said the initiative reflected the President's determination to bridge Nigeria's skills gap and equip young Nigerians with the practical skills they need to compete in the economy.

 

According to her, the programme was designed to help beneficiaries acquire relevant skills, become economically independent and build sustainable livelihoods.

 

"This project is very dear to my heart because I come from Aremo, Ibadan.

 

"But it is also very dear to the heart and vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose determination to close Nigeria's skills gap is a major driver of the mandate we have been given," she said.

 

She added that Tinubu believed young Nigerians needed opportunities, skills and tools to compete effectively and achieve economic independence.

 

Arogundade said the 700 beneficiaries included 30 participants trained in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics, 85 in makeup artistry, 85 in fashion design and 500 in digital economy-related skills.

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, said the empowerment programme would contribute to poverty reduction.

 

Alli, who represents Oyo South in the Senate, said Tinubu had taken several measures to cushion the effects of subsidy removal, and described the initiative as part of efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment.

 

Sen. Yunus Akintunde (APC-Oyo Central) commended Arogundade and urged the beneficiaries not to sell the equipment given to them, regardless of the challenges they might face.

 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who was represented by Shola Ladoja, also commended Arogundade and the Federal Government for the initiative, saying the programme would contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria.

 

The ceremony drew a diverse audience of youths, NGO representatives, politicians, traditional rulers, entrepreneurs and academics.