The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has in the second batch of its Information Communication Technology (ICT) resource training programme, trained 204 youths on ICT in Bauchi state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, Mohammed Alkali made this known Friday during the graduation ceremony of the 2nd batch of the NEDC ICT Training Program, Handing over of Agricultural Machinery/Inputs and Inspection of Ongoing Rapid Response Intervention Projects at the banquet hall, government house Bauchi.
“Your Excellency, exactly on Tuesday, February 9th this year, in this same hall you presided over the graduation ceremony of 176 graduands of the scheme in which you commended the initiative. You are aware that our region has the lowest literacy rate and the highest poverty cases among all the geopolitical zones due to the activities of the dreaded insurgency, hence the need for this kind of initiative.
The NEDC MD who recalled that 176 beneficiaries were trained and graduated, noted that starter pack kits were given to them including N20,000 cash each to compliment the items.
He said out of the second batch the Commission promised for Bauchi state,204 beneficiaries are being graduated and would be presented with starter packs as well as N20,000 each to enable them to start their own businesses.
Alkali who gave the total number of beneficiaries for both batch one and two to 380 graduands expressed the belief that the federal government’s gesture will no doubt go a long way in alleviating poverty among the Youths in the region.
While congratulating the 204 beneficiaries, the Managing Director advised them to make good use of the items and the token with a view to becoming self-reliant, adding that the Commission was committed to ensuring that youths are given the desired attention for the socio-economic development of the region.
Alkali while appreciating Governor Bala Mohammed of the state for giving the batch one beneficiary with N50,000 each pleaded that the same gesture should be extended to the 204 beneficiaries.
He said that a total number of 10 four-wheel tractors, 10 sets of planters, 18 power tillers, 10 sets of boom sprayers have been provided in order to help in boosting Agricultural activities in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 2nd batch of NEDC ICT training Programme and handing over of Agricultural Machinery/inputs held at the banquet hall of the government house Bauchi said the Commission has been meticulous in the area of I.C.T training, provision of agricultural pieces of machinery and inputs.
Bala stressed that the two sectors are driven by the youths who suffer from the problem of unemployment that has led a lot of them to restiveness and other social vices in the region.
Governor Bala who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Baba Tella, explained that the intervention will serve as a catalyst for mitigating youth employment and boost entrepreneurship, thereby making the youths productive and responsible citizens of the state.
Describing the event as ‘epoch’, the Governor expressed delight that the beneficiaries have received requisite training and technical know-how in the area of information, communication and technology.
“According to the National Bureau for statistics, ICT is one of the major contributors to the gross domestic Production of the nation”, he said.
Bala who further explained that agriculture is the mainstay of the region’s economy as it serves as a veritable source of employment to over 60 to 70 per cent of the labour force.
“However, the sector has for some time been battling with insufficient pieces of machinery and inputs, thereby hindering the growth of mechanized agriculture in the state and the country”, the governor added.
With a view to reversing the ugly trend, Governor Bala noted that priority has been given to the agricultural sector by the present administration and the management of the NEDC.
The Governor commended the NEDC for complementing his administration’s efforts towards the provision of the agricultural pieces of machinery and farm inputs that will boost farming activities in the state.
