No fewer than 150 youths in Kogi State have commenced a six-month intensive training programme in Fashion and Garment Making under the Federal Ministry of Education’s Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (FME-IDEAS) Project.
The training, supported by the World Bank, is being implemented by Leafnet Enterprises Limited in partnership with Ladi Memorial Foundation Chateko Vocational Institute (LMF-CVI) in Ajaokuta.
The programme officially kicked off with an orientation session held at the institute’s facility on Tuesday, where participants were introduced to the objectives, structure and expectations of the initiative.
Speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, the Executive Director of LMF-CVI, Hon. Rosemary Osikoya, described the orientation as a critical step in preparing beneficiaries for the training.
According to her, participants were acquainted with the programme’s training modules, institutional policies, safety procedures, attendance requirements, assessment methods and post-training opportunities.
Osikoya, a former Kogi State Commissioner for Education, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for supporting the initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with employable skills.
She urged the trainees to take full advantage of the opportunity, noting that fashion and garment making remains a highly sought-after skill capable of creating jobs and strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“The institute is committed to producing competent and industry-ready garment makers who will contribute meaningfully to Kogi State’s economy,” she said.
Representing the Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Albert Alabi, described the programme as timely and strategic, stressing that modern education policies increasingly emphasize entrepreneurship and vocational skills alongside conventional learning.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity as a pathway to self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Also speaking, the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Jibrin Abu, said technical and vocational skills remain key drivers of economic growth across the world.
Drawing examples from countries such as China, Japan and South Korea, the lawmaker urged the trainees to value the profession and remain committed throughout the programme.
He pledged continued support for the initiative, noting that it would positively impact youths within his constituency and beyond.
In a presentation on “Security Strategy, Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools,” the Director of Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ruth Opaluwa, represented by Mr. Abdul Adeyemi, emphasized the importance of safeguarding learners against abuse, violence and exploitation.
She maintained that a secure learning environment is essential for successful educational outcomes.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Education and the vocational institute for providing the training free of charge.
One of the trainees, Miss Dupe Olowu, said the programme would help her improve her tailoring skills and enable her to train others in the future.
Participants are expected to receive monthly stipends throughout the six-month training period and will earn NABTEB/National Occupational Standards (NOS) certifications upon successful completion, among other incentives.
The FME-IDEAS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme has so far trained more than 40,000 youths across Nigeria and aims to equip one million young people with vocational skills within the next two years.
