The Member Representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, in collaboration with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), has commenced a 10-day training and empowerment programme on renewable energy installation, maintenance, and marketing for youth in his constituency.
The programme aims to train and empower 90 selected youths across the constituency as part of efforts to reduce unemployment among young people.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Enugu on Wednesday, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu said the training was intended to help youth in his constituency acquire skills in the renewable energy industry, which would foster their growth.
He stated that it has always been his vision to have the youth of Enugu North and South equipped with modern technical knowledge, which is a crucial yardstick for survival in the modern era.
According to Hon. Atu, “The world is moving towards renewables, and there is an urgent need to prepare young men and women to move with the world. Renewable energy is the future of the world’s economy, and we can’t be left behind. It has always been my wish to provide platforms for our teeming youth to gain knowledge in areas where they can delve into and begin to sustain their lives and that of society.”
Atu urged the 90 trainees to take the exercise seriously and prepare to become key players in the energy sector. “We have spent a lot of resources to put this programme together. It is now left for you to take it seriously and learn. It is a chain system where the knowledge you will gain will be transferred to others, who will also do the same. That is why you must pay close attention to every detail, as a lot is expected of you to use this knowledge to help yourselves, your families, and society.”
Early in the programme, the Director General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Nagode, who was represented by Engr. Lemi Jonathan, said the training would expose participants to many technical areas in the renewable energy sector and provide them with intensive practical teachings that will prepare them for the task ahead. He added that this was the first time any lawmaker from the South East had attracted such a training from the Institute.
Addressing participants, the President of the International Youth Parliament, Hon. Promise A. Nwadigos, who was a special guest at the programme, explained that the training was timely, given the rising cases of unemployment in the country and the need for proper electrification of households due to constant failures of the national grid and the high cost of electricity tariffs. Hon. Nwadigos also expressed his excitement with Hon. Atu’s massive youth-friendly programmes since becoming a lawmaker.
He appreciated Hon. Atu for his commitment to the future of young people, urging other lawmakers across the nation to emulate his style of people-oriented representation.
In his remarks, the facilitator of the programme and Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Fields Nig. Ltd., Engr. Chris Ugwu, explained that the training and empowerment programme would be conducted in two phases. According to him, phase one would last five days, during which the participants will go through intensive lectures and practical sessions, while the second phase will focus on fieldwork, with solar systems to be installed in various homes and locations in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency.
Reacting to the programme after the opening ceremony, some of the participants expressed their happiness for the opportunity presented by Hon. Atu, while also assuring that they would make maximum use of the rare privilege given to them by the lawmaker.
