Kaduna technicians to engage 1,000 Almajiris

The Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) in its bid to curb idleness among the youths has disclosed plans to take Almajiris off the streets in Kaduna.

Vice Chairman of the association, Goodluck Erhounmowon who made this known said the association has completed plans with the Kaduna Retailers Association, (KAREA) to empower 1000 Almajiris and children who roam the streets, adding that the empowerment process would be continuous.

Erhounmowon told The Guardian that the association was also planning to modernize it operations by training its members with the required skills to enable them meet up with certified engineers who went through professional training.

He said part of the plan was to establish an ultramodern mechanic village in Kaduna, which would save time and enable technicians render effective service to their prospective customers.

“Roadside mechanics work is based on speculation, but with modern technology, they can diagnose and tell precisely what goes wrong with a car. That is why we want to build a modern workshop that will service modern cars.

“But the truth is that government is not concerned about us. If we have mechanic villages around Kaduna, you won’t see technicians on the streets,” Erhunmawon added.

He however, noted that roadside technicians can only earn respect through formal education adding that an agreement has been signed between NATA and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to educate it members.

“Nigeria values paper qualifications more than technical skills and to get rid of the barrier between technicians and certificate holders, we will start adult education for our members who were not earlier privileged to have formal education. We will move gradually from the basics, secondary to tertiary institution and upon completing their studies, they will be awarded a certificate,” he said.

On whether the Almajiris would benefit from the proposed initiative upon joining them, Erhounmowon said arrangements have been made to ensure that both the education and training process did not affect their Islamic classes.