Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that the ongoing reforms initiated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youth population and providing greater opportunities in various sectors of the economy. In a Statement made available to CTN, Senior Special Assistant to The Vice President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Vice President made this statement during the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.
The Vice President emphasized the importance of skills acquisition among young Nigerians, saying the nation can no longer afford to have a growing population of idle, unemployed, and unemployable youths. Nkwocha noted that the Vice President stated, “The danger of paying lip service to technical and vocational skills acquisition is one none of us is prepared to experience… His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has championed economic reforms beyond the usual cosmetic fixes to lay the groundwork for greater opportunities ahead”.
VP Shettima also commended the foresight of Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, in establishing the vocational institute, which has graduated over 9,000 students in just three years. Nkwocha in the statement pointed out that the Vice President applauded the governor’s aspiration to turn the state into a hub of jobs and opportunities. The Vice President also flagged off the distribution of relief materials to flood victims, tractors, and paddy rice to farmers in the state, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the people of Nasarawa State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari; Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe; and the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd). As Nkwocha noted, the Vice President’s visit to Nasarawa State was a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to supporting state-led initiatives in economic development and youth empowerment.