Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has commenced training of Youths in Ogo Oluwa/ Surulere Federal Constituency on mobile phone repairs and software installation and development.
The program which was part of the empowerment policy of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was facilitated by Senator Teslim Folarin, lawmaker representing Oyo central Senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
About 500 youths, including undergraduate, artisans and secondary school leavers are beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme in the state.
Addressing the participants,Alhaji AbdulMalik Halilu, the General Manager of Research, Statistics and Development of NCDMB while addressing the participants said that the reason for choosing mobile repair was hinged on the fact that Nigeria tele-density has crossed the hundred percent threshold.
He added, “We have structure the GSM technician training to create technical skills for youths to understand the anatomy of GSM how to repair phones, how to install software and to also have basic foundations on software development and it is our expectations that once we are able to take 500 youths on the streets of Oyo state, we would have contributed to the federal government aspirations to empower youths and create employment.’
‘’By the time we finished classroom and the apprentice phases we will set them up as business entity through registration with corporate affairs Commission(CAC) and the state cooperative board so they can be able to stand on their own as business entities.In addition to that, we are also providing them with furnished shops because we want to close the gap between the technical skills and ability to operate as business entities, so the shops will provide them the environment to operate and we are also providing them with the starter packs which is the working tools and also the laptops to enable them to operate their businesses.
‘’Also just as we normally do in other states, we do write to the state government to provide local incentives for new businesses, as you aware the issue of taxation, the issue of alternative power supply crippling businesses so we seek support from the state government to ensure that they are protected and if they are able to succeed with the first 3 years then it means they can last more than 10 years, but if you don’t create an enabling environment for them to thrive in their businesses then that means that whatever we have invested in terms of training and empowerment will not see the light of the day.”
Senator Folarin,who was represented at the training by Hon Olusayo Afolabi, All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate in the constituency,explained that the training is one of the way to create jobs and empower the youths.
