NASENI prepares youths for next industrial revolution
Miss Azoshubel Veronica Beten (a beneficiary of the training) (left); the Executive Vice Chairman/CE, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. (Prof.) Mohammed Sani Haruna; representing Governor Ben Ayade, Deputy Governor Ivara Esu, during the handing over modern installation and maintenance kits… yesterday
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has said ongoing nationwide retooling of youths is to prepare Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, spoke on occasion of training of 100 youths in “modern methods of electrical installations and maintenance” yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State.
He advised the youths to be painstaking with the empowerment programme.
The NASENI boss stressed the need to equip youths with new skills to cope with changes in technologies and innovations.
He said: “Technology is changing and those with old skills in electrical installations are losing jobs.
“Cutting-edge technologies are shaping 4IR and disrupting many things.
“These technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI); robotics; Internet of Things (IOT); Big Data; Block Chain; Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing; Autonomous Vehicles; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; Gene Editing; 5G Network) as well as Smart Grid and agitation for wireless electricity.”
Haruna explained that installation, repairs and maintenance were no longer to be metre conduiting, piping or trunking of cable channel and streaming overhead conductors alone.
He said the new system had gone beyond provision of lighting points, sockets and outlets.
“It is about automation remote sensing, control and wireless. Therefore, the capacity of the existing electrical technicians needed retooling and upgrade,” the DG added.
In his remarks, Governor Benedict Ayade, who was special guest at the event, lauded the Federal Government and NASENI for the initiative.
He added that the state shared same vision with the central government on solving the nation’s socio-economic challenges through job creation for the teeming youths and poverty reduction tied to industrialisation as well as development of the manufacturing sector.
Chairman of the occasion and member of the House Representatives, Ochiglegor Igbado, commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s passion for youth development.
He stated that without focus on self-employment and reskilling of youths, it is practically impossible to create adequate jobs for the large number of unemployed young Nigerians coming out of school.
A list of equipment handed over to the youths included complete electrical toolbox; multi-metre testers; cordless drilling machines; leather hand gloves and other safety materials.
