By: Gbenga Akingbule
As part of measures to empower youths and women and make them self-reliant, the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has recently laid the foundation for the construction of N2 billion worth multi-sectional Skills Acquisition Centre in the Biu Local Government Area of the state.
Lifestyle Nigeria reports that the laying of the foundation of the Skills Acquisition Centre which was carried out in Biu town by Governor Zulum will have the capacity to give practical training to 3,000 youths at a time, on different areas of self-proprietorship.
The centre, according to the Governor, is expected to have 16 workshops for practical teaching in areas of Solar Installation, Air conditioning and refrigeration, Commercial use of computers and ICT, Tailoring and Fashion design, Automobile and mechatronics, Electrical Installation, Leatherworks, Barbing and cosmetology, Plumbing and pipe fitting, GSM Repairs, Welding and fabrication, Mercenary and Building, Carpentry and Joinery, Tie and Die among others.
The Zulum-administration had in June 2021, completed Borno State Vocational Institute in Muna, Jere local government area, which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari. The centre has all workshops listed above.
The Governor had also embarked on the construction of similar vocational centres in Monguno, Magumeri and Mafa while in Dikwa, a dormant resort is being converted into a vocational training centre.
Back in 2019, Zulum had approved the Government’s support which completed a community-funded skills acquisition centre in Marama town of Hawul local government area, neighbouring Biu.
In the same vein, the Governor also commissioned a zonal department for Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects under the Governor’s Office, which will serve southern Borno.
There are similar zonal offices in Monguno for northern Borno and in Maiduguri for the central senatorial.
The three zonal offices will have staff that will be monitoring the delivery of critical public services, programmes and projects.