By DAYO ADESULU

In the bid to improve technical skills of Nigerian youths through the development of technical and vocational education, MTNF Youth Skills Development Project (YSDP) is to spend N340m on four government technical colleges.

The beneficiaries include, Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Government Technical College, Owo, Ondo State, Government Technical College, Malali, Kaduna State and Government Technical College, Farfaru, Sokoto State.

Speaking during the contract signing ceremony at MTN Corporate Office, Ikoyi, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma stated that eleven colleges were shortlisted for site verification visits adding that at the end, a total of four technical/vocational colleges were finally selected.

The selection process according to Ugboma began with the publication of expressions of interest in the national newspapers which attracted a total of thirty-two applications from various technical colleges across our country.

The applications, she said were reviewed through a rigorous selection process hinged on set qualitative and quantitative criteria, noting that these were done through MTN procurement process – Request For Proposal (RFP), involving technical presentations by prospective partners.

“We had proposed to have two implementing consultants on the project, however, due to the rigour of the selection process and the high quality standards that MTN adheres to, only one of the consultants emerged tops -Deux Project Limited,” she said.

According to Ugboma, the project has been designed to improve the technicl kills of the Nigerian youths through the development of thnical and vocationl education, adding, “ ThMTN Foundtion will through this project complement the efforts of the gerian Government to foster technological advancement and contribute immensely to the development of technical vocatinal eutin – a mjor driver for socioeconomic development in Nigeria.”

The MTNF-YSDP, she pointed out was initially set at upgrading six existing government technical/vocational colleges across the country. However, following verification visits to shortlisted colleges, four colleges qualified. Based on the foregoing, Ogboma noted that the  strategic initiative will focus on three areas of support which include; infrastructure development, capacity building and supply of relevant equipment and furniture.

Said she, “The project will address six areas which include: Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works, Instrumentation Mechanics Works, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Fabrication and Welding, Furniture Design and Construction Plumbing and Pipe Fitting.

The MTN Foundation will deliver this project using an efficient and sustainable model. We will work with the selected technical/vocational colleges, relevant state ministries and the project implementing consultant, to ensure the execution of the scheme at the highest possible standards.

We look forward to achieving maximum results on this project and to once again, making a significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the Chairman, MTN Foundation, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu stated that MTNF is concerned about Youth Development in Nigeria, stressing that youths make up a large part of the Nigerian population.

He said, “The MTN Foundation, expanded its reach to cover the area of technical/vocational education towards contributing to national efforts at ensuring technological advancement in Nigeria. MTNF Youth Skills Development Project is coming at a time when Government has declared entrepreneurial skill acquisitions mandatory in the country.