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European investors set up N4.5b vocational centre in Enugu to curb migration

By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
28 November 2022   |   3:21 am
The European Union International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and other private investors have set up a N4.5 billion centre for practical skills at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, to provide vocational training...

ICMPD Director General, Michael Spindelegger

• Mbah woos investors towards a $30b economy 
The European Union International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and other private investors have set up a N4.5 billion centre for practical skills at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, to provide vocational training, and curb migration among the youths to Europe in search of paid employment.

The centre, which includes a business park, would enable 100 people, per year, to undertake dual education, as well as training to learn skills to become plumbers, electricians and construction supervisors.

While companies located in the business park will be responsible for practical training, the theory will be taught in the Centre for Practical Skills (CPS), even as the university would certify the education and training, and would provide opportunities for further professional improvement.

ICMPD Director General, Michael Spindelegger, who stated this, at the weekend, during the unveiling of the centre, stated that it is also aimed at creating prospects for local population, adding that the skilled worker training is in line with European standards.

Spindelegger said: “The objective of the centre is also to specifically attract Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to Nigeria with its large and growing market of over 220 million people.”

He stated that major barriers to setting up SMEs in Africa, which include power, water and security, have been overcome through the business park, as there is an independent power, security and water supply in the park.

MEANWHILE, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has rallied foreign governments and investors towards speedy growth of the state’s economy from present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years.

Mbah also said that his administration would make skills and vocational education compulsory for indigenes and residents of the state from the age of 12 to effectively address the challenge of unemployment, and service the planned economic growth. 

He made this known during the official opening of the Geoffrey Okoye University–European Business Park and Centre for Practical Skills (CPS) at Ugwuomu, Nike, Enugu, at the weekend.

Speaking at the event, which had in attendance the Ambassador of Hungary to Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Schlesinger; Minister Counsellor of Germany in Nigeria, Mr. Martin Huth; Country Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation, Mr. Markus Margner; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, among others, Dr. Mbah said the initiative is in sync with his plans to promote skill and vocational education, as well as de-risk investment inflow, and make Enugu a preferred destination for investment for businesses and living.

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