How new skills acquisition centre targets economic empowerment in Akwa Ibom
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Disturbed by the rising unemployment population in Akwa Ibom State, Governor UMO ENO on May 20, 2024 opened the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), located on Km 26, Ikot Ada Idem in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, near Uyo with immediate effect.
The Governor’s action followed with the inauguration of a 7-Man Governing Council, led by the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics in the University of Uyo, Professor Enoidem Burma USORO as the Rector.
Since then, the school management has been working assiduously in line with the Government mandate; recruiting personnel and opening up admissions to prospective students.
The centre, formerly a Technical College, was scrapped 20 years ago, but later revamped into a skills acquisition hub to produce technical manpower to meet world class needs of our industries by former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
That Vision, to provide a one-stop-shop for world class, cutting edge, and needs driven technical skills training, leadership, and entrepreneurial training; combined with a Mission; to leverage experiences, equipment, processes, and strategic partnerships for the developmental and strategic needs of Akwa Ibom State, is vigorously being pursued by Governor UMO ENO for the benefit of the people of the state and beyond.
While applications for admission into the various faculties such as; Iron, Steel and Metal Fabrication; Wood Technology; Automobile and Mechanical Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Automobile Body Works; Hotels; Civil Technology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Websites Design and Agricultural Studies etc is ongoing, the centre will also provide mentorship, entrepreneurial programmes and career fairs for public collaboration.
The training programmes, according to the Communications and Branding Manager of DASAC, Mr. Joseph Udoh, would be opened to students category by category.
For category A: University graduates who may wish to undergo soft/technical skills training for a duration of 3 months.
Category B: Secondary School leavers would undergo 6 months training.
Category C: Holders/Non holders of First School Leaving Certificate would be trained for 9 months as the case may be, and at the end, students will undergo NAPTEP, City & Guilds and other relevant proficiency examinations.
He said the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center being affiliated to the University of Lagos will carry out the supervision of all the skill training programmes for quality assurance.
The essence of the skill programmes, he noted is to equip trainees with necessary skills that would enable them develop themselves into entrepreneurs and employers of labour, who would be engaging in economic ventures without necessarily waiting to be employed.
“Government would at the end of the day, minimise unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship by helping people to be on their own and self-sustaining.”
Also speaking, the Register of DASAC, Mr. Aniediabasi Udofia commended the State Governor, Pst. UMO ENO for establishing the centre saying, he is desirous of resetling the youths with skills that would make them become better people in the society tomorrow.
Mr. Udofia told NewsDirect that while applications for admission are on, the Governor had promised to sponsor 5 persons per the 31 Local Government Areas for training at the Dakkada Center, urging politicians and well-meaning Nigerians to borrow a leaf from the State’s Chief Executive by sponsoring their Wards/supporters to learn trade that would last them a life time than issuing them with motorcycles and cash.
Meanwhile, a Lagos based Non Governmental Organisation, VCare for Development Foundation (VCDF), is exploring opportunities in DASAC, Akwa Ibom State in areas of mutual benefit.
The Group, during their visit to the Rector, Prof. Enoidem Usoro led by Mr. James Ode on Tuesday discussed cooperation and assessing the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center programme.
