A total of 250 young Nigerians have graduated from a digital and sustainable empowerment programme jointly sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and implemented by Jake Riley Academy.
The month-long intensive training initiative, conducted under the FAST Selling Skills Training Programme, equipped participants with market-relevant skills and provided them with business starter packs to facilitate their entry into commercial ventures and promote self-reliance.
At the graduation ceremony, Abayomi Bamidele, Director of NCDMB’s Capacity Building Directorate, emphasized the importance of skills acquisition as a pathway to self-sufficiency and national development. Represented by John Barigha, Supervisor of Marine Vessel Categorization, Bamidele urged graduates to maximize the opportunity by applying their newly acquired skills effectively.
Barigha cautioned beneficiaries against undermining the programme’s objectives, stressing that discipline, dedication, and commitment would determine their success. He advised graduates to preserve and utilize their starter packs properly rather than selling the equipment.
“We are not giving you fish; we are teaching you how to fish. What we have given you today is the net. It is now left for you to make meaningful use of it,” Barigha stated.
He also revealed that NCDMB is finalizing plans to launch an additional training programme targeting youths aged 35 and below, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, to enhance participation in the oil and gas sector.
Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, Chief Executive Officer of Jake Riley Limited, described the graduation as a milestone for Nigerian youth empowerment. She characterized the programme as a strategic investment in human capital development aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive growth agenda.
“Today celebrates not just achievement, but a national vision positioning young people as drivers of Nigeria’s economic future,” Ogbue remarked. She emphasized that the training focused on market-ready skills capable of generating immediate income across key growth sectors.
The programme offered training in seven specialized tracks: solar installation, fashion design, catering, digital freelancing, textile and Adire making, electrical installation, and GSM phone repair—all selected based on market demand.
Anuba Chidera, a solar installation graduate, praised the training as transformative with strong practical application.
The ceremony concluded with certificate presentations and distribution of starter packs. Among the graduates were 162 digital skills trainees, 20 solar installers, 23 caterers, 22 fashion designers, and others trained in various technical trades.
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