TheCable

The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) has commenced a three-day skills acquisition training for youths in rural areas.

Bashir Usman, executive secretary of the commission, while declaring the training open on Monday, said the training is part of efforts to address poverty in rural areas.

Usman, represented by Akin Akinyosoye, director of quality assurance in the commission, said 56 nomadic youths were selected from Oyo, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kwara and Kebbi states to participate in the training.

“I consider this very important three-day training workshop for our youths and other participating critical stakeholders from the states very apt and timely,” he said.

“I am particularly delighted that the commission has, at this promising moment, taken a leading role in addressing the frightening challenges of nomadism in present-day Nigeria.

“Our teeming youths are very eager to imbibe relevant livelihood skills which play a key role in providing food security and income to millions of families and their communities.

“It has also been established that over one billion people are involved in rural menial jobs globally, with more than half of these dependent on livestock, agriculture, and emerging innovative entrepreneurship skills for livelihoods.”

The executive secretary added that learning a skill will enable youths to provide for themselves, enrol their children in schools, and support others with employment and investment opportunities.

“The skill one learns can assist him till the end of his life. A youth who is empowered with improved animal husbandry skills can earn from it sustainably till he does,” he added.