AMNESTY TRAINEES DESIGN VOLTAGE REGULATOR

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME

 

AMNESTY TRAINEES DESIGN VOLTAGE REGULATOR

 

Trainees under the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta youths have recorded yet another feat, this time in Ghana as they have designed an electrical equipment that regulates power voltage.

 

Known as the Magnetic Box, it regulates low and high voltage with a built-in timer.

The equipment was among several other products displayed by the trainees at a mini-exhibition during their graduation from the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) in Accra.

 

One hundred and ninety eight (198) delegates underwent training in Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation, Auto Mechanic, and Plumbing/Pipe Fitting at five centres across the country.

 

Speaking at the event, an elated Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Ademola Onafowokan, said the feat achieved by the trainees was “another milestone in Nigeria’s endeavor to create a pool of skilled individuals.”

 

The envoy, who paid glowing tributes to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua for the amnesty initiative, said the graduates are living testimonies to the laudable vision of the Nigerian government.

 

“President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians are very proud of these youths who have demonstrated resilience and hard work,” the High Commissioner said.

 

He advised them to synergise and work together to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and employers of labour with the skills they have acquired.

 

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, in his remarks, equally commended the trainees for their invention and innovativeness.

 

His words: “Many youths in the Niger Delta did not believe in the amnesty offer but you did. Today, some of your former colleagues are also in various institutions in Nigeria and overseas.

 

“The fact is that the amnesty programme is a success. Unfortunately, this has resulted in fresh agitation by youths in the Niger Delta who want to be part of the programme. Every day, youths in the region protest just because they want to belong to the programme. Now its success has become our albatross,” the PAP chairman said.

 

While thanking the Ghanaian government for its support for the programme, Hon. Kuku advised the graduates to think about how to be self-employed in partnership with their colleagues.

 

“Your vision should not be to look for government job,” he added even as he assured those who want to be entrepreneurs that the Amnesty Office will support them with tools and start-up packages.

 

Earlier, the NVTI Executive Director, Mr Stephen Amponsah, said the institute was happy to be a part of Nigeria’s effort to empower its youths through vocational skills.

 

According to him, vocational training is important to national development as it can stem the tide of criminal activities as well as alleviate poverty and generate employment.

 

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Mr Amachree Otelemaba, said they were initially skeptical about the amnesty programme.

 

“We thank President Goodluck Jonathan and our big brother, Hon. Kuku, for this opportunity given to us. We never knew the programme will be a success but we decided to try. Now we have been trained and have acquired skills in different areas, which will make us better in life,” he said.

 

Otelemaba appealed to the Nigerian government to create opportunities for engagement so they can put to use the skills acquired.

 

Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Senator David Brigidi, Ghana’s Minister of Interior, who was represented by Mr Sam Amankwah, Mr T.K. Gyau, and the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ghana/Chairman, NVTI Board, Prof. Richard Bani.

 

DANIEL ALABRAH

HEAD, MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY OFFICE

November 17, 2012