By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives committees on Alternative Education and South East Development Commission, SEDC, yesterday held a one Day Public hearing on 4 Bills on 4 bills seeking to establish vocational and skills acquisition training centres across different parts of Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Aliyu who represent (Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency of Sokoto State said his Committee was determined to make the alternative education sector a credible path for lifelong learning and employment generation, noting that the public hearing was designed to gather experts and stakeholders’s input for effective implementation.
He further described the initiative as a bold step toward addressing unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base through practical education.
According to him “vocational training and entrepreneurial skill acquisition are fundamental drivers of national development,” he said. “Nigeria’s youthful population remains a valuable asset that must be empowered through skills training and alternative education for self-sufficiency and national progress.”
While commending the Speaker of the House, Hon Tajudeen Abbas for his foresight in establishing his Committee on Alternative Education , he explained that such institution when created will bridge the gap for millions of Nigerians without access to formal education.
Declaring the public hearing open ,the Speaker,Tajudeen Abbas represented by Hon Paul Nnamchi said that alternative education is the brain child borne out of necessity.
He further stated that vocational, technical and entrepreneurship is the needed bridge between educational qualifications and skills for national development.
Speaking on the bills, representative of the Executive Director SEDC, Ifejika Sunday said that the South-East Development Commission is committed to any initiative that promote technical education.
He said that the commission supports the establishment of vocational and entrepreneurship educational institutions as it aligns with its establishment mandate.
Some key stakeholders which included the National Commission for Almajri Education, NCAE, People of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom and Mbaise Community supported the establishment of these educational institutions.
However. representing Nigeria Non Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services, NOGALSS, said while the initiative is good, NGOs and CSOs should be adequately represented in its management board.
Speaking through a director Special Initiatives,NOGALSS, Princess Stephanie Osa- Osaghae also called for the inclusion of NOGALSS on the board of the proposed Federal Vocational and Skill Acquisition Centres adding that such representation will guarantee broad based participation and effective coordination.
The four bills under consideration include: A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobum, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere — HB.2263);
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition, Mbaise, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins — HB.2342);
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ilorin West, Kwara State (sponsored by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya — HB.554); and
A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo, Ondo State (sponsored by Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo — HB.2033).
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), to deliberate on the proposed legislative frameworks aimed at boosting technical education and youth empowerment. is the needed bridge between educational qualifications and skills for national development.
Speaking on the bills, representative of the Executive Director SEDC, Ifejika Sunday said that the South-East Development Commission is committed to any initiative that promote technical education.
He said that the commission supports the establishment of vocational and entrepreneurship educational institutions as it aligns with its establishment mandate.
Some key stakeholders which included the National Commission for Almajri Education, NCAE, People of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom and Mbaise Community supported the establishment of these educational institutions.
However. representing Nigeria Non Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services, NOGALSS, said while the initiative is good, NGOs and CSOs should be adequately represented in its management board.
Speaking through a director Special Initiatives,NOGALSS, Princess Stephanie Osa- Osaghae also called for the inclusion of NOGALSS on the board of the proposed Federal Vocational and Skill Acquisition Centres adding that such representation will guarantee broad based participation and effective coordination.
The four bills under consideration include: A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobum, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere — HB.2263);
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition, Mbaise, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins — HB.2342);
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ilorin West, Kwara State (sponsored by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya — HB.554); and
A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo, Ondo State (sponsored by Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo — HB.2033).
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE), to deliberate on the proposed legislative frameworks aimed at boosting technical education and youth empowerment.
