The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has called on Kaduna State Government to resume the Kaduna State Artisans Training (KADAT11) programme with a view to enriching the massive infrastructural development of the state.
Peters stated this at the 25th Graduation Ceremony of the university’s Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD) in collaboration with the Centre for Human Resource Development and Empowerment Initiative (CHRDEI), on Saturday January 14, 2023 in Kaduna.
The VC, represented by the Director, Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS), Dr. Gloria Anetor, expressed that this year’s ceremony was special in the sense that the 106 graduates were trained in Information and Communication Technology and Web Design, which adequately reflected the role of NOUN in the advancement of Nigeria's educational system.
He said “by developing appropriate competencies for a new global order, driven by information and emerging technologies, it is important to note that success in the information-driven world of today requires creativity and innovation far beyond the conventional education system to which many of us have hitherto been accustomed to.”
He added that many well paid jobs of the day are no longer for degree holders but for those that can creatively solve problems with special skills and add value to human existence.
“It is in light of this that the NOUN collaborates with credible stakeholders to enrich Nigerians for effective service delivery,” Peters said.
He expressed that NOUN is in partnership with several public and private organisations within and outside Nigeria to deliver special competencies in various fields of human endeavors.
The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, assured the government and good people of Kaduna State that NOUN is here to provide both formal and informal learning at their convenience.
This, according to him, “is evidenced by the presence of our CHRD which symbolises the corporate social responsibility arm of the NOUN.”
He also appreciated the host Kaduna State Government and the federal government agencies for their support and offered his special gratitude to the founder and initiator of CHRDEI for his passion in partnering with NOUN empower the youth through the acquisition of relevant skills.
Delivering his welcome address, the CHRD director, Dr. Aminu Umar, said the graduation ceremony marked a watershed for the centre, “raising the aspiration of the great men and women to realise their potentials with a view to enhancing productivity in our society.”
He further appreciated the founder of the CHRDEI and his committed staff for their commitment and determination over the years in ensuring that their organisation collaborates with the NOUN to produce trainees that will add value to national development.
Peters tasked the community-based organisations, philanthropists, youths associations, international development partners and the federal, state and local agencies to exploit the opportunities at the centre towards the certification of trainees for the good of all.
In his remarks, the CHRDEI initiator, Dr. Muhammad Ali, stated that a total of 106 students trained in ICT and Web Design for six months free of charge.
“That being their humble attempt of giving back to the society what the Society has given to them,” said Ali.
He said the gesture has become incumbent upon them because of one greatest challenges facing government today is providing the youth meaningful and gainful employment, social empowerment and opportunities for personal development.
“Therefore, the CHRDEI cannot thank the NOUN enough for affording the centre golden opportunity to collaborate with CHRD these past 11 years in order to contribute its quota towards human capital development,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Mallam Musa Jika, stated that the graduates were already making progress in their life through the acquired skills.
Jika further said NOUN is not being seen as an institute of learning alone but a forum that provides a means of self dependent.
He, therefore, commended the university for this great initiative and tasked the graduates to be good ambassadors.
The NOUN Vice-Chancellor, assisted by the CHRD director, later, held a symbolic presentation and confirmation of certificates to the graduates.
There were goodwill messages from high profile personalities who graced the accession.
Representative of NOUN Registrar, Bursar and Librarian, Commandant of Air Force Institute of Technology, Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, lecturers from Faculty of Education and a traditional title holder of Hakimin Kabala graced the occasion.
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