Nigeria : The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on the Federal Government to develop a national skill policy to bridge the skill gap and create jobs for unemployed youths.
Tony Ejinkeonye, President of the ACCI made the call at weekend at the graduation ceremony of 17 participants in a vocational training in Abuja and said skill development was critical to job and wealth creation. Ejinkeonye, was represented by the first Deputy President of the ACCI, Mr. Kayode Adetokunbo. He stated, “I want to suggest that the Federal Government should have a clear skill development policy that would address unemployment in Nigeria.” He opined that the policy must provide that students leaving secondary school must acquire vocational skills before proceeding to tertiary institutions.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Dickson Onuoha, the Acting Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), said the ITF was working with the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to identify the skills gap. Onuoha, represented by the Director, Revenue Inspectorate and Compliance, ITF, Mrs Lola Gbadamosi, said that at the completion of assessment of the skill gap, it would be captured in the national skill development policy.
Also, Dr Jens Gebharde, a facilitator at the training, said the German Government was collaborating with ACCI to train people in vocational skills which would be extended to other States across the country. He said that the German Dual Vocational Training which started in 2012 in Nigeria, was aimed at training participants in technical facility management and office administration. According to him, it is also aimed at empowering Nigerians to create jobs and generate wealth for the nation.
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