2 weeks ago
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The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, has said Nigeria is prepared to turn its teeming youths into wealth creators through platforms that will identify talents, nurture and encourage them to contribute to the nation’s economy.
Professor Bugaje stated this at the official media launch of the Nigerian Talent Exploration Challenge in collaboration with the NBTE in Abuja on Saturday.
He stressed that one way of reducing over-dependence on government is to identify talented youths and support them to fulfill their dreams.
He pointed out that Nigerians have abundant talents that if harnessed and nurtured will take the world by storm .
Earlier in his opening remarks, the project coordinator of the programme, Faisal Jaafar Rafindadi, explained that the initiative was aimed at discovering, nurturing and showcasing the exceptional talents of Nigerian youths in technical and vocational fields .
According to him, “The Nigeria Talent Exploration Challenge is designed to promote innovation, creativity and skill development among young Nigerians, aligning with the federal government’s vision to drive economic growth and development through technical and vocational education.
“Our partnership with the NBTE underscores our commitment to excellence and relevance in technical education. Together we aim to create a platform that inspires and empowers Nigerian youths to become leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”
Also speaking, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Babangida Nguroje, commended the efforts of the initiators of the project.
He said Nigeria needs to diversify its economy now more than ever.
According to Nguroje, the partnership with the NBTE was timely and fits into the plan of the current administration to encourage the youths to become wealth creators.
Nguroje maintained that nations that have embraced skills acquisition long ago have made huge benefits out of it and that Nigeria should not lag behind.
He commended the founder of the Talent Exploration Challenge, the immediate-past Governor of Katsina State and chairman of the TETFund governing council, Aminu Bello Masari, for his foresight and forward thinking in ensuring that the programme he started in Katsina state has now expanded to become a national programme that will benefit Nigerians.
He expressed satisfaction that the TETFund chairman will deploy his wealth of experience to ensure that talents are harnessed for the good of Nigeria .
In his address, Masari thanked the leadership of NBTE for partnering with the organisation.
He stated he was moved to start the programme after a careful analysis of the plight of talented youths and women but have no platform to help them actualise there dreams.
The Talent Exploration Challenge will be open to Nigerian youths between the ages of 10 and 40 covering various talent categories, including automotive modelling, art and craft design, ICT, technology and innovation, construction, literary arts and poetry.
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