ACCI - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Wed, 2025

ACCI empowers 15 youths with ICT, vocational skills

158 total views today

By Vivian Emoni

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has trained 15 youths in Information Communication Technology (ICT), administrative management, and other vocational skills.

President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, stated this during the 2nd graduation ceremony for the one-year competency-based training in Abuja.

Represented by his 1st Deputy President, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, the ACCI boss said that the goal was to equip the youths with the needed skills to excel in their respective fields.

He stated that the trainees had participated in both the Office Administration (OA) and Technical Facility Operations and Maintenance (TFOM) Competency-Based Dual Vocational Training Programmes.

Obegolu emphasised that the event marked the culmination of months of dedication, perseverance, and hard work, with students completing rigorous and industry-focused training programmes.

“This training is the second phase of our competency-based programmes and serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, self-reliance, and commitment to excellence in vocational training,” Obegolu said.

He added that the goal of these programmess was to equip participants with the essential skills required to excel in their respective fields.

“These programmes go beyond traditional learning. They immerse trainees in real-world scenarios, ensuring they gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience,” he explained.

He further noted that the Office Administration programme followed the Dual Vocational Training (DVT) model, integrating workplace experience with academic instruction, leading to a level four certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework.

Obegolu also mentioned that the programmes were approved by the Federal Government through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He added that since 2021, the programmes have trained individuals in key areas such as workplace organisation, business communication, information technology, administrative management, and financial and legal support functions.

He described the TFOM programme, which focuses on technical facility management, highlighting its importance in equipping trainees with competencies across 12 critical learning fields, including safe working practices, environmental protection measures, electrical installation, and building security.

“The programme’s methodology, which combines one month of classroom instruction with three months of practical field training, ensures that graduates are highly employable,” Obegolu said.

He also lauded the graduates for developing essential soft skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and professionalism.

“These attributes will serve them well in their careers and contribute positively to their organisations and society,” he added.

Obegolu expressed his gratitude to GIZ and other stakeholders for their unwavering support in ensuring the successful execution of the training

He encouraged the graduates to embrace future opportunities with confidence and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Mrs Britta Erckelens, Programme Manager at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), praised the graduates for establishing a solid foundation of excellence.

She urged them to develop their skills and contribute to their respective industries to drive economic growth in Nigeria.

She also lauded the collaboration between GIZ and ACCI, which had enhanced the capacity of the ACC-IBEST Centre to deliver high-quality, market-relevant training programmes.

Mrs Phoebe Ocheche, Head of Training at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), advised the graduates to remain focused and share their experiences with others.

She thanked GIZ and ACCI for their efforts in making the training a success.

On behalf of the graduates, Mr Mamza Chakiram from the Industrial Arbitration Panel thanked ACCI, GIZ, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the training.

He said that the experience had exposed them to various technology programmes.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Dec, Thu, 2024

Economy/Business

ACCI to establish university to bridge skills gap in Africa

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced plans to establish a Continental University aimed at addressing the skills gap across Africa.

The President of ACCI, Dr Emeka Obegolu, said this at the chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

According to Obegolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the proposed university, known as the ACCI Continental University, will provide hybrid online and full-time education.

He said the institution would operate as a truly pan-African university, offering training in five major languages including English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili.

According to the ACCI boss, the diverse languages will serve the diverse regions of the continent.

“We are engaging with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to secure approval for the university.

“The facilities are already in place, and we are consulting with international education specialists to design a comprehensive curriculum, particularly for the language components,” Obegolu said.

He said that the university would focus on equipping students with practical and technical skills tailored to meet the demands of the labour market.

The ACCI president restated the need to address the mismatch between university graduates’ qualifications and the skills required by industries.

“It is no longer enough to graduate with degrees in political science or sociology without the necessary foundational skills.

“Many of these graduates end up in unrelated fields, such as banking, without adequate preparation,” he said.

The ACCI president added that the university would support businesses by providing trained personnel in high-demand fields such as carpentry, medicine, and other vocational areas.

Obegolu also emphasised that the university would bridge the gap in skilled manpower across the continent, ensuring businesses had access to a workforce tailored to their specific needs.

On the timeline for the university’s launch, he said it would depend on the NUC’s approval.

“We are ready on our part, but the timeline is subject to the NUC’s decision. Once we secure their approval, we will announce a definitive schedule.

“I am calling on the media to support the initiative by promoting its vision and objectives, which aligns with fostering economic growth and reducing unemployment across Africa,” he said.

According to Obegolu, the year 2024 has been challenging for many businesses as they continued to stay afloat without sinking.

“The Chamba is a sub-component of Nigeria, so businesses have not had it easy for 2024, but again, there are pointers that 2025 may be better.

“If we are able, as a country, to deal with the stability of our national currency, the Naira , it will help businesses to plan ahead.

“The challenge we faced in 2024 is the inability of businesses to plan because without knowing what the exchange rate will be, it is difficult for businesses to plan.

“So what they resorted to was more of gambling, and some won, some lost. So businesses thrived, some businesses also suffered and shut down,” Obegolu said.

On projections for 2025, Obegolu said the ACCl would focus on advocating for the development of the Idu Industrial District, as it had the potential to support employment in the country.

According to him, the hub will support industrialisation and the economy of the Federal Capital Territory.

Obegolu therefore reiterated the importance for state governments to set up a minimum of one or two industrial districts with dedicated power, infrastructure, and everything needed for businesses to thrive.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said instability rather than rate increase was the challenge, thus the importance of regulating the Naira to enable businesses to plan.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said the major challenge was the instability of the naira, thus the importance of regulating the naira to enable businesses to plan.

While commending the Chamber for the strides achieved over the years, its First Deputy President, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, reiterated the importance of collaboration among members.

Adesugba said, “We can only be stronger as an organisation when we work together.”

Also, the ACCI Second Deputy president, Dr Aliyu Hong, commended the vision, courage, and boldness of the chamber’s president.

“We have a formidable president who is thinking for tomorrow and not today. That is why we have been able to achieve the things we have achieved today.

“I want to urge members to take advantage of the initiatives we have at the chamber as they provide basic solutions to most of the problems we face as a business,” he said.

The President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr David Etim, urged the government to include the private sector in its projects as it was a major way of growing the economy. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim