By Benjamin Irikefe

Given my administration of skill acquisition training programmes under the auspices of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, among other entities, it has become imperative, inexorable, and urgent to delineate the specific contents, guidelines, and milestones of the Quadrant of Skill Acquisition or Skill Acquisition Matrix for the enlightenment and benefit of Trainers, Trainees, and other stakeholders in the Human Capital Development Domain, owing to its broad applicability.
In light of the foregoing, I hereby formally announce, as of Monday, March 11, 2024, the dissemination of the definitive rendition of the Declaration encapsulating the fundamental principles of the Quadrant of Skill Acquisition or Skill Acquisition Matrix, in a Declaration herein entitled “The Port Harcourt Declaration.”

The Port Harcourt Declaration
Having observed with profound interest and deep concern, the unfolding events within the socio-economic, political, and security spheres of Nigeria over the past 25 years and, recognising their detrimental effects on the overall welfare of the nation and her citizens.
Realising the effective implementation of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes stand as a venerable platform capable of mitigating the occurrence, perpetuation, and proliferation of various forms of criminal activities, particularly among the youth demography in Nigeria. Prevalent examples of such unwholesome activities include but not limited to: armed robbery, commercial hostage takings and kidnappings, illegal arms trafficking, armed banditry, oil and gas assets vandalism, piracy, contract killings and assassinations, fraudulent practices (including advanced fee frauds and internet scams) (yahoo boys), thuggery (jaguda), insurgency, collection of illegal development levies (deve), products faking and so on. It has been affirmed that Skill Acquisition Programmes, through short-term, vocational-specific training, provision of tailored starter kits, and well-structured post-training support initiatives, hold significant potential in curbing undesirable societal trends within the Nigerian context.
Expressing concern over the disjointed manner at which Skill Acquisition Training Programmes are often executed, seemingly transforming into channels for the dispersion of “slush funds,” partisan favouritism or “cash cows,” thereby neglecting adherence to prescribed standards and professional norms.
Alarmed by the prevailing absence of adequately structured Post-Training Support and Empowerment Schemes accompanying many Skill Acquisition Training Programmes throughout Nigeria, leading to a lack of clarity regarding the actual impact of financial resources allocated to such trainings and the subsequent fate of program graduates.
Affirming unequivocally that the adoption of the Quadrant of Skill Acquisition or Skill Acquisition Matrix framework has significantly bolstered the efficacy of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes among Trainers who have utilised the template outlined in the “Handbook of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes,” authored by this writer.
Motivated by the need to broaden access to the template, particularly among individuals unable to procure or access the aforementioned Handbook of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes.
Recognising that the dissemination of the template into the public domain serves the greater good by ensuring wider accessibility, as opposed to confining it solely to one individual who have acquired or gained access to the Handbook of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes.
Acknowledging that it is incumbent upon citizens to contribute towards addressing prevalent societal challenges, particularly the escalating issues of unemployment and the prevailing crisis concerning the cost of living. Hence, the subsequent enumeration outlining specific components of the Quadrant of Skill Acquisition or Skill Acquisition Matrix.
Let us delve into a comprehensive exposition of the components shaping skill acquisition. Covering vocational-specific training, entrepreneurship development, soft and life skills training, and post-training support and empowerment. Each facet contributes to a well-rounded programme aimed at equipping individuals with the essential tools for professional success and personal growth.
Vocation Specific Training
This has to do with an individual being trained on a specific vocation/enterprise/business/trade or course. For example, Welding and Fabrication, Commercial Fish Farming, Fashion Design and Tailoring, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Blockchain Technology, and Machine Learning etc.
Entrepreneurship Development Training
This has to do with what has to be done to make money or derive income from the specific vocation or trade the person has been trained on. For example, Identifying Business Opportunities, Effective Workplace Management, Marketing & Selling, and so on.
Soft and Life Skills Training
This has to do with being trained in certain areas of skill acquisition that are outside vocation-specific training and entrepreneurship development training but are very necessary to make success as an entrepreneur. For example, Goal-setting and Goal Getting skills, Employability Skills, Effective Self-Management Skills, Effective Relationship Management for Business Success, etc. Soft and Life Skills are closely interrelated and indeed intertwined. But for academic purposes, they are individually described as follows:
Soft Skills: Personal Characteristics, Personality Traits, Inherent Social Cues, and Communication Abilities required for success on the job or workplace. Soft Skills are characterized by how an individual interacts in his or her relationships, such as Empathy, Altruism, Warmth, Self-Regulation, Honesty, Humility, and others.

•Irikefe, author of ‘Handbook of Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programmes’, was Chairman at the First Presidential Retreat on National Security and a Member of the Presidential Panel on National Security (2001/2002).