Imo senator sponsors 21 constituents on intense training programme on fabrications, metallurgy, mech maintenance, others

…Unveils names of beneficiaries

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Senator representing Imo North(Okigwe Zone) in the Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, in an avowed efforts to create pool of indigenous technical workforce has sponsored 21 Imo youths to a one month training camp programme.

The short and intense training programme taking placing at the Metallurgical Training Institute(MTI), Onitsha is being organized by the Ministry of Steel Development.

Sen. Ndubueze who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Steel Development while speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the one month programme last Thursday, 6th March 2025, said the training programme was geared towards empowering Nigeria’s teaming youths to self-reliant through acquisition of extensive skills in welding/fabrication, industrial foundry/metallurgy, instrumentation/control system and mechanical maintenance.

The senator who was represented by his Director – General Hon. Greg. Owuamanam, said the training was coming at a more desired moment when the Federal government is giving special priority to the Steel sector aimed to drastically cut down Nigeria’s dependence on foreign technical training.

Ndubueze who is an engineer charged the beneficiaries of the pilot scheme to be disciplined and give maximum attention to the programme in order to acquire the expected knowledge and skills designed for the programme.

He expressed the hope that with the provision made for start-up equipment, successful participants would be able to support their businesses, train other youths and create job opportunities.

He promised that the 10th National Assembly under Senator Gods will Akpabio would always initiate and fast track any Bills that are public-oriented and youth-focused. The Senator commended the Minister of Steel and his team as well as the Metallurgical Institute, Onitsha for their respective roles in initiating and hosting such an important programme, noting that without the support and passion of Mr. President Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a greater Nigeria, the programme would not have been actualized.

Speaking to Imo participants later on the sidelines, a Commissioner in the Imo State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Ethelbert Nwachkwu counselled them to be good ambassadors of Imo State by being disciplined and paying attention to details in the training programme so as to justify their nominations by Senator Ndubueze. He recalled that the Senator, in his determined bid to empower the youths, had previously undertaken numerous skills acquisition programmes for youths of his constituency.

Dr. Isokpunwu

In his keynote address at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development Dr. Chris O. Isokpunwu stated that the true strength of any economy lay in its people, their skills, expertise and determination stressing that the Ministry of Steel Development had taken deliberate steps to reposition the Steel and Metals industry as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic transformation.

He told the youths that the programme was targeted at equipping them with the technical know-how and hands-on experience to thrive in the highly competitive steel and metallurgy industry and economy and charged them to give optimum attention to the programme.

The AG. Chief Executive Officer of the Metallurgical Institute, Onitsha Dr. Fortunatus Obi thanked the Federal government for choosing the Institute for the programme and advised the youths to show discipline and commitment in the course of the programme.

Other speakers at the flag off ceremony were the Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Steel Development Engr. Fred Ewa as well as Mr Adegboyega Adewale one of the participants who promised that they would live up to the expectations of the organizers and eventually contribute their quota to the Nigerian economy.

Successful participants are expected to go home with two certificates:

Trade Test certificate from the Ministry of Labour and

Proficiency Certificate of the Metallurgical Institute, beneficiary includes,

Some of the 21 beneficiaries in a group photo with Senator Ndubueze

The 21 youths who benefited from the programme include, Okebata Isioma, Asulata oluchi, precious, Elebeke

chukwudi.J, Evans obinna onyekaonwu, Chimezie ezekwem, Ogbonna Patrick santos, Patrick Jonathan C, Nwamere chinedu princewill, Ozoemena herbert.

Others are, Onyekaonwu promise chinemerem, Aliso chukwuemeka christopher, Martins hastings uche, Ndukauba chigizie

juliet, Ezekwem wilson uchenna, Ugorji uloma lynda, Ikechukwu remigius onyemaechi, lloanya assumpta

Trainees trying their hands in the workshop at MTI, Onitsha

Chinwendu, Osinachi stanley ezealaji, Divine chikeziri Abraham, Ihekwoaba victor chukwudi and Chinemerem pius.