Governor Sule Recounts How Skills, Not Certificates, Landed Him A U.S Job

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Thursday, recounted his experiences as a young engineer in the United States, recalling how his cognitive skills secured jobs for him instead of his certificates.

Sule said his vision for a skill-based knowledge for youths in the state is driven by his experience in the country, stressing that corporations achieve their goals with skilled workers, not certifications.

He was speaking at the inaugural Engr. A. A. Sule Colloquium in Lafia, with the theme “Technological-Driven Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Unemployment and Catalyst for Economic Growth and Development”.

He highlighted the crucial importance of advancing vocational education for development, urging students to acquire advanced skills.

“Then, I worked as a welder at night and attended school in the day in the U. S. just to complete my scholarship money and acquire skills which I used to secure better jobs”.

“I wasn’t asked of my certificate but my competencies area against what is happening today”.

He said government planned to train would-be retirees who were still agile with technical skills and financial support to invest in the skills acquired, adding that youths would be trained with starter packs for self-employment.

Jelani Aliyu, an international automotive designer, who was the guest speaker, tasked government to leverage on technology to grow economies, emphasising that continuous technological advancement is a catalyst to national development.

He charged African nations to encourage multilateral technology to canvass more attention around the globe, urging Nasarawa youths to be the future of the nation to make a difference in the world.

He commended the Sule-led administration’s focus on putting smiles on the citizens’ faces by enhancing their worth through skills and entrepreneurship development.

In a welcome address, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Labaran Magaji, expressed optimism in the colloquium’s ability to inspire youths on skills acquisition particularly in technology to shape their mindsets.

Magaji appreciated the initiators of the colloquium for coining the idea, believing it is an addition to the development drive of the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Acting Rector, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic Lafia, Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata, Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman and the Managing Director, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr charged youths to improve their knowledge with practical use of ideas to curb unemployment and corruption.

They lauded the government’s commitment to technical education, calling for expert knowledge in training staff and students to meet up with government’s investment in education.

Delivering his opening address, Convener of the Engr. A. A. Sule Colloquium, Engr. Rajab Ogiri, outlined the successes of the government in vocational technology, insisting that the colloquium is a new platform aimed at designing a future path for young people.

Source: The Nation

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