In readiness for the proactive commencement of first batch Vocational Skills Empowerment Program “VoSEP”, Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb undertook a 3-days working visits to different Technical Training Centers (TTCs), to strengthen partnership for collective advancement of the initiative and to equip cross riverians with hands-on-practical market- ready skills to enable them participate fully in the digital economy of His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu led administration.
The Special Adviser, who arrived at the University of Calabar Entrepreneurship Development Center with members of his team, received a warm welcome reception by Prof. Bassey Ebi, Director Business, (UCEDC) expressed delight over the visit and sued to partner with local content office for successful implementation.
In a welcome remarks, Prof. Ebi commended the Special Adviser for the concept of VoSEP, noting that the initiative aligns with the centers objectives and programs. In his words, “this is a signal to a new dawn for Cross River youths. We know what Governor Bassey Otu did as a senator of the South. We will partner with your office to ensure our youths become self-reliance, job creators and active contributors to government development plans.
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“We have seen your programs, it has the potential to produce young successful entrepreneurs, who will excellent in practice and bost the state economy. We will support the initiative.”
Leading the way, Prof. Bassey Ebi in his response noted that successful graduates of VoSEP program will be issued standard certification that will help spotlight them anywhere at anytime. He also noted that “It is the desire of the University to develop manpower as well as skills to ensure citizens create wealth for themselves and their families.”
Also speaking during the visit, Prof. Markson Aniedi-Abasi, Director Business, noted that VoSEP initiative was timely as the country continues to grapple with low employability and slow economic growth due to inadequate skills among the youth population. Prof. Markson commended governor Bassey Otu for approval of the initiative, while reaffirming the University of Calabar EDC center support to deliver on its mandate.
Ambassador Awatt who acknowledged that the program covers a wide range of key vocational areas, including ICT skills, welding and fabrication, solar electrical installation, tailoring and fashion design, hair dressing, plastic and leather bag manufacturing, carpentry and wood work, tissue paper production, driving, food Processing, laundry and drycleaning, soap making amongst others.
Prof. Ebi commended and thanked the Special Adviser for the proposed training program and partnership with the University EDC Center, while promising to deliver on its mandate. Highpoint of the visit was a tour round different segments of the training center which ended up with a group photograph.
