The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Taraba State Government in respect of the operationalization of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Skills Upgrading and Vocational Training Centre (SUVTC) Ibi, Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, His Excellency Simon Bako Lalong, in his speech during the signing ceremony highlighted the critical role of skill upgrading and vocational training in Job creation and Poverty reduction, especially among youths.
He expressed hope that the take over of the centre by the Taraba State Government will be of immense benefit to the good people of Taraba State and neighbouring States. Earlier, in her welcome address, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Juliana Anti Adebambo noted that the purpose of the gathering is to begin the process of actualizing one of the key agenda of the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in curbing unemployment menace and Youth restiveness in the country through the establishment of Skills Centres in mostly rural areas nationwide and to encourage the acceptance of Blue collar jobs as against the insistence on White collar jobs that is highly favoured by the youths.
She further stated that the signing of the MOU couldn’t have come at a better time than now as wanton restiveness among youths especially in that part of the country has become worrisome.
In his remarks Head of the Taraba State Government delegation Hon. Habu James Philip, Commissioner for Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation commended the Federal Government for the efforts being put in place to create jobs and reduce poverty in the country noting that the establishment of the Skills Acquisition Centre in Ibi, Taraba State is one of the efforts of this administration in this regard.
According to him, this is key in job creation and poverty reduction especially in Taraba State.
His words: “We have put in place proactive measures and effective monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms to ensure the smooth running of the centre: our target is to train at least five thousand (5000) skilled youths and women in the centre in the next three years”, he added. He also requested that more laudable projects should be built in Taraba State for the good of their people.
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