SUNDAY March 30, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
…makes case for upgrade of center to degree, diploma awarding institution
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has called on local government chairmen, corporate organizations and others in the State to key into the human capacity development component of the ARISE Agenda, by sponsoring young people within their areas of operation to acquire skills at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center (DASAC).
Governor Eno was speaking as a special guest at the maiden graduation ceremony of the Centre located in Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
The State Chief Executive stressed that Local Government Councils should nominate at least ten trainees and sponsor their skills acquisition at the center.
He noted that his economic blueprint, ARISE Agenda, is heavy on human capacity development which was reason DASAC was completed with the aim to train youths and equip them with skills to make them employers of labour as opposed to being job-seekers.
The Governor announced that his administration is prepared to adequately engage the trainees, pointing out that the centre has successfully trained students on piggery, fisheries, ranch management, snailery and other skills to engender agricultural revolution in the State.
He announced plans to engage the trainees at the Ibom Model Farm where they will bring their skills to bear, adding that same window of job opportunity has been opened to graduates in other areas such as: School of Hospitality and Lifestyle Management, where the trainees have earned skills in fashion, catering, etc which would be deployed at the planned Ibom Hotels in Abuja, and Ibom Towers in Lagos.
“The School of Agriculture where some graduands here have been trained in piggery, fisheries, ranch management, snailery and other skills aligns with our ongoing push to engender agricultural revolution in our State, which thank God, is right on course.
“With the establishment of Ibom Model Farm in Nsit Ubium, which would be a centre for both agric tourism and integrated farming, as well as other farms, we hope to utilize the skills of the graduands to further our desire to ensure food security for our people.
“We have created a stand-alone Ministry of Science and Digital Economy and we hope the graduands will, apart from branching out to set up businesses along the lines of their training, also work closely with the Ministry to bring to bear their training in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, Networking, Microsoft Fundamentals and other areas,” he stated.
The Governor congratulated the 240 trainees for making it as the first batch of graduands and commended the initiative of the immediate past Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for conceptualizing the Centre with world class structures.
He also thanked the management of the Centre and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, for the strategic partnership the University has provided in the area of curriculum development and called for an upgrade of the Centre to a Diploma or degree awarding institution.
Rector of the Centre, Prof. Enoidem Usoro, described the graduation ceremony as a significant milestone having turned out 240 pioneer trainees and appreciated the Governor for his huge support, sponsoring a good number of students for specialised training and for approving a stipend for the trainees.
Highpoint of the ceremony was an inspection of various products from the Centre by the Governor and special guests.
