The Kogi State government has trained and empowered 250 youths in different skills, even as Governor Usman Ododo restated his administration’s commitment to training 1,000 youths yearly in skills acquisition.

The governor reiterated the pledge during the graduation of the 250 youths, who successfully completed various skills acquisition programmes under the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (OYESA).

The initiative is designed to equip participants with industry-relevant skills, thereby enhancing their employability, and contributing to the state’s human capital development.

The project, implemented in collaboration with the state-owned Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute for Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), was to provide young people with the necessary skills to meet industry demands.

The goal is to train a minimum of 1,000 youths in high-demand vocational skills by 2027, positioning Kogi as a centre for technical expertise and innovation.

During the graduation held at the Mohammed Buhari Civic Center, Ododo restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce to drive the state’s economic growth.

He emphasised that a state with a pool of highly skilled technical personnel was well-positioned for industrial advancement.

The first cohort of 250 participants, drawn from the 21 local government areas, underwent training in nine specialised fields, including automotive mechatronics, welding and fabrication, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion, networking and system security, software development, solar power installation, cinematography and photography, plumbing, and fittings.

Ododo also highlighted success of the programme, which is the immediate employability of its graduates, pointing out that some trainees in welding and fabrication have already secured employment opportunities.

The governor emphasised that the initiative to fast-track graduates to support government projects not only reduces government expenditure but also empowers local talent, ensuring that Kogi has the necessary expertise to meet its industrial and infrastructural needs.

Ododo submitted that the impact of the initiative goes beyond the graduates themselves, estimating that over 5,000 individuals, including the trainees and their dependents, would experience economic empowerment.

He directed all commissioners, heads of parastatals, and agencies to ensure that the graduates are adequately engaged and encouraged to strive for economic empowerment.