By Suzy Chukwuechedom, Onitsha
The Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) through the Federal ministry of Steel development (MSD) has recorded a great success in recent training/empowerment for Nigeria youth in metals section where the total number of 535 Students graduated in Batch A Boot-Camp training exercise.
The honorable Minister of steel development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu speaking during the closing Ceremony of the batch A of the Boot- camp training said the initiative represent the giant stride in a corrective effort to rejuvenate the Nigerian steel industry and to empower the youth with necessary skill for national development.
He maintained that the aim of the programme was to invoke a pool of competent young Nigerians with passion towards Nigeria Metallurgical and steel sector towards the one trillion dollar economy vision by President Tinubu comes 2030.
Audu explained that the maiden audition of the training under the ministry of Steel started in 1980 following an agreement between the Federal government of Nigeria and Republic of Germany following a study that was carried out by a German Agency for technical Cooperation(GTZ) which review that our vocational education was queue towards theories and lack enough practical basic needed for industrialization hence the institute was put together and now have the beneficiary of the founding father’s vision.
The minister said that the program remain the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the renewed hope of agenda to ensure that graduates from the institute are equiped with the appropriate technical skills and set rather than the regular certificates to enable them become successful entrepreneurs.
He said that the boot- camp training programme was not just about skill acquisition and starter’s empower equipment programme but about character formation, decipline and cultivation of the mindset towards innovation entrepreneurship and national service.
He said the ministry will continue to monitor the progress of the graduate.
In his word, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Chris Isokpunwu said the ceremony was a celebration of hard work of possibilities and of the ministry’s related to growth through human capital development, advised the graduate to use their opportunities and starter parts to continue to create and compet to the economy .
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo represented by the commissioner for industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu expressed joy that the ministry of Steel chooses Anambra as the site for the training for all Nigerians of which Anambrians
are part of.
He however said that Anambra is happy to partner with them to sustain the training adding that Anambra has funds for youth entrepreneurship development controlled by Small Business Association and Joint partnership development funds with the bank of Industry through his ministry.
The Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate Department Ministry of Steel Development, Engr. Frederick Eni Ewa further explained that the boot- camp training focused on equipping young Nigerians with industry relevant technical competencies in field area of welding and fabrication, industrial metallurgy and foundry technology, instrumentation and control system and mechanical maintenance.
He said that through the programme, the trainees received expert-led instruction, hands on mentorship and exposure to practical technologies aligned with global best practices .
Ewa listed some of the challenges encountered during the training as logistics constraints and transport support, inadequate Hostel Accommodation, upgrade of training equipment and Erosion threat. He however appeal for the recruitment waiver and urgent passage of the enabling bill for the Metallurgical training institute.
