No fewer than 50 persons comprising women and youths in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, have been trained on welding and machine fabrication.

This is stated in a report on “Upgradement of Indigenous Technologies and Entrepreneurship Development in Kafanchan, Kaduna State by National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in Collaboration with REE Integrated Concept Limited.”

The report was written by Emeka Obi, Managing Director, REE Integrated Concept Limited, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The report stated that the training took place from Oct. 2 to Oct. 3.

“The two-day training programme was a success, providing participants with valuable knowledge and skills in welding and machine fabrication.

“The programme featured experienced facilitators who shared their expertise and insights with the participants.

“The programme’s objectives were achieved and participants are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their respective workplaces,’’ the report said.

The workshop engaged the participants practically with live activities and theoretically with paper presentations.

After the practical sessions, certificates were presented to beneficiaries as well as the sum of N50, 000 each as take-off grants.

Dr Patricia Chukwu, Director General of the NBTI, who declared the workshop open, disclosed that the programme was an integrated support provided by government, private sector and academia.

Chukwu, who was represented by Mr Lagege Munkaila, the Centre Manager, Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Kaduna, said the programme was part of government’s commitment to socio-economic development.

She said the aim was to create and nurture technology-based enterprise and also provide enabling environment for entrepreneurs to compete with their counterparts globally.

“The programme is also aimed at promoting indigenous technology in order to create wealth, employment and reduce over dependence on foreign goods,” she said.

Prof. Ibrahim Sodangi, Provost, Kaduna State University (KASU), Kafanchan campus, commended NBTI for conceiving the idea of training women and youths in the relevant skills.

Sodangi said the training would help them become self-reliant; thereby helping in reducing the scourge of unemployment.