Get Guardian on GoogleSkyrun International (Nig) Home Appliances FZE, Calabar has offered automatic employment to 20 Cross River youths who completed its Electrical/Electronics training programme, while admitting another 40 trainees into the third batch of the initiative.
The employment letters were presented on Tuesday, at a matriculation graduation ceremony in Calabar organised by the Ministry of Youth Development and Skills Acquisition in collaboration with Skyrun FZE.
The 20 beneficiaries, drawn from the first and second batches of the Skills-in-the-Hands Initiative, recorded a 100 per cent employment outcome, with every trainee who completed the programme absorbed by the company.
In his address, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu said the future belongs not merely to those who acquire certificates, but to those who acquire competence, character and capacity to create value.
Otu, represented by the member representing Akpabuyo Constituency in the State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports Development Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey,
described the ceremony as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to youth development, human capital investment and economic prosperity, and a celebration of the transformation of potential into productivity.
He said the greatest asset of Cross River State is its people, particularly its vibrant and enterprising youths, who must not be condemned to unemployment and dependency, but equipped to become employers of labour, innovators and entrepreneurs.
He said his administration’s approach is straightforward: training, employment, enterprise and wealth creation, moving beyond distributing materials or temporary financial assistance to building sustainable pathways that connect youths directly to opportunities.
He described the Skills in the Hands Initiative as a practical expression of this vision, and commended the partnership with Skyrun International Nigeria Home Appliances FZE, saying it addresses the disconnect between acquiring qualifications and securing employment by providing practical industry-based training with an employment pathway.
The Governor thanked Skyrun for investing in the technical capacity of Cross River youths, and pledged that the state government will patronise Skyrun products in appreciation.
He congratulated the graduating second batch, urging them to demonstrate discipline, integrity, commitment and creativity, noting that competence may secure employment, but character and professionalism will determine how far they go.
The Governor also congratulated the third batch on their admission, urging them to take the training seriously, and commended the Commissioner, Barr. Udom-Ijom Ukam, and the Ministry for translating the vision into measurable outcomes.
Governor Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and urged other corporate organisations to emulate Skyrun’s partnership.
He said: “When we skill our youth, we strengthen our industries. When we employ our youth, we strengthen our economy. And when we empower our youth, we secure the future of our state.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Hon. Barr. Udom-Ijom Ukam said the 100 per cent employment of all 20 trainees from the first and second batches by Skyrun proves that the state’s industry-driven approach to skills development is working.
He announced that the programme has been expanded, with the third batch doubled from 20 to 40 trainees, and commended Skyrun for its partnership and commitment to the economic advancement of Cross River youths.
Ukam said the initiative is anchored on Training, Enterprise, Employment and Wealth Creation, stressing that sustainable empowerment goes beyond financial handouts to equipping youths with practical, marketable skills for employment, business and economic independence.
The Commissioner described the ceremony as a celebration of transformation from potential to competence, competence to employment, and employment to economic independence.
He thanked Governor Bassey Otu for his visionary leadership and financial commitment, the House Committee on Youth Development for its legislative backing, Ministry staff, and Dr. McFallan Ejah, Programme Coordinator, for effective coordination.
He charged the trainees that the real value of the programme is not the certificate but practical competence and discipline, urging the graduating batch to be worthy ambassadors and the new batch of 40 to make the best use of the life-changing opportunity.
He said the ministry is committed to building a generation of skilled, employable and entrepreneurial youths, saying: “We are not just training young people; we are building careers, creating employment, strengthening industries and securing the economic future of Cross River State.”
In his address, the Chairman of Soho-Skyrun Corporation, Chief George Wu said Skyrun has achieved sound progress in over 20 years in Nigeria, investing in manufacturing facilities for air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and other appliances, with an annual production capacity of 500,000 units, and consistently ranking among the top three in Nigeria’s home-appliance sector.
He highlighted three lessons from its Nigeria operations to include understanding local conditions – products tailored to high heat and unstable voltage, earning 2021 “MADE IN NIGERIA” commendation, 2023 NEPZA Manufacturer and Job Creation Awards, and 2024 SON Quality Award, in line with its “Make a better life” vision and the “People First” philosophy and local production, employment, operation and services, with over 95% Nigerian workforce, 2,000+ jobs and a new production line
Chief Wu said through “SKILLS IN THE HANDS” with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Cross River State, Skyrun is training youths in manufacturing, maintenance and e-commerce, hiring most top graduates, sending two to China, with the site now the State Internship-Employment Base and Patriotic Education Base.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Batch B Team Leader, Isamo Igaja, thanked the Governor and Commissioner, describing skill acquisition as a powerful form of entrepreneurship that guarantees direct employment either with Skyrun or through personal business.
He said the six-month intensive training equipped them with experience in repairing refrigerators and air conditioners, using chemicals and building coils, noting that Batch A is already working with Skyrun and Batch B looks forward to joining them.
The event featured presentation of certificates and letters of appointment to the 20 graduands and the matriculation of the 40 new apprentices.
