The Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) Zaria, Kaduna State, has graduated a set of 44 youths in a two-week skills acquisition and empowerment programme for youths from the South South geopolitical region of the country.
Certificates, starter packs and cash gifts of N50,000 each were also presented to the graduating trainees.
The training which dwelt on footwear production, took place at the Iwara-Oka-Akoko Centre in Ondo State.
The DG/CEO of NILEST, Prof Mohammed Kabiru Yakubu, who was represented by the director of Academic Planning, Dr Jerry Irimiya Tagang, congratulated the trainers for a job well done and the trainees for the rare patience demonstrated to endure till the end without which the training could been unsuccessful.
“This confirms the confidence reposed in the institute as an institution which provides quality training that is scarce to come by in this clime of Africa. This training has once again given our resource persons the opportunity to interact with and impact knowledge in the youths selected from the South-West of this great nation. It has also afforded South-West youths the opportunity to learn new skills which, if well managed, will enhance their economic value and improve their living conditions forever.”
On his part, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye on behalf of the entire Okaland thanked Prof Yakubu and his management team for the efforts aimed at taking the teeming Nigerian youths off the streets. He admonished the beneficiaries to make the best use of opportunities at their disposal especially the one offered by the just concluded training and empowerment programme.
Other NILEST management members present at the occasion are Barr Yakubu Afuwai (director, Legal Services); Gabriel Omotayo Ladija (head, Procurement); Mr Musediq Aderemi Basorun (head of Information, Public Relations and Protocol) and Mr Kasali Jimoh (manager, NILEST South-West centre).
Other dignitaries include Senator R. A. Boroffice represented by Hon Sunday Ajudu; HRM Oba Adebori Adeleye, the Olubaka of Okaland with many other traditional and spiritual fathers.
