By Dennis Agbo

The House of Representatives member for Enugu North/Enugu South federal constituency, Rep Chimaobi Atu has stated that skills training for youths is a better means of forestalling crime in society and urged Nigeria youths to embrace training in different skills.

He further stated that there is no better time to change Nigeria than now, that the economy of the country is in tartars and the youths of the country need a good foundation to be able to trudge on with living.

Atu made the remarks when he declared open training and empowerment of over 90 youths in his constituency on renewable energy installation and servicing in Enugu, on Wednesday.

The training is being conducted by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN).

The Rep member noted that as a security expert and a member of the Defence Committee at the National Assembly, he could confidently tell that the “crime rate will continue to rise in this country unless we decide to train and empower our young population.”

Atu further stressed that “When our young ones are not equipped with skills, they will certainly become a tool in the hands of crime promoters. As you already know, there is a strong relationship between lack of skills and crime.

“Some of these criminal elements were recruited because they were not busy with anything. If you are busy, nobody can talk you into crime. This explains why I have continued to invest in education and training.”

Project Consultant for the Training, Engr Chris Ugwu, stated that the training was one of Atu’s empowerment programmes, disclosing that the Rep had made other empowerment programmes such as detergent making, scholarships, and others.

“In this case, he has identified the needs of the constituents and that is why he wants to train people on renewable energy because people can no longer afford energy such as the ones from electricity providers or the ones being generated through fuel.

“And so, solar energy becomes the option. The market is too big and we are short of labour to tap into this field and that’s why he wants to train people in solar installation. He went to partner with the highest power training institute NATPIN in training that will involve theory and practice.”

The Director General of the training institute, NATPIN, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, represented by Engr. Lemi Jonathan disclosed that they were a power training institute with a difference.

“We have trained thousands of people, but this is the first time a House of Representatives member is coming to us to train his constituents. For the trainees, we have acclaimed instructors and you will get the best. It will improve your personal development, help you stay with the trend and the training will help you become exposed. That is the empowerment Honourable Atu wants to give his people,” NATPIN said.

Some of the participants said that they expect to earn technical knowledge, business, and soft skills, and gave appreciation to Rep Atu for making it possible.