By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal Government through the Ministry of Steel Development has boosted the steel sector with training of 535 youths on wielding and fabrication; Industrial Foundry and Metallurgy as well as Instrumentation, Control and Mechanical Maintenance.

The 535 youths were drawn from all the States and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and trained by the Ministry in its First Edition of Bootcamp Training at the Metallurgical Training Institute, MTI, Onitsha, Anambra State, basically equip them with practical skills and knowledge that will enable them become productive contributors to the steel and metal sector, and by extension, to the national economy.

Meanwhile, at the closing ceremony of the Boot-Camp programme at MTI, Onitsha, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, in a remark explained that the initiative represents a significant stride in the nation’s collective effort to rejuvenate Nigeria’s steel industry and empower the youths with the skills necessary for national development.

He stated that for the country to realize its vision for the steel sector, it must invest in human capital, adding that the Bootcamp Training and Empowerment Programme is a testament to the Federal Government commitment to developing a skilled workforce. According to him, by equipping the youths with practical skills in welding and metallurgy, the nation is laying the foundation for a self-reliant and industrialized Nigeria.

He also reeled out some achievements of the Ministry under his watch, which he explained that the strategic aim of the initiative is to evolve over time, a pool of competent, patriotic young Nigerians with passion to drive forward the emerging Nigerian Metallurgical and Steel sector towards a $1trillion economy as envisioned by President Bola Tinubu by 2030.

He (Audu) also commended the facilitators of the training programme from the Ministry and the Management/Staff and instructors from the Metallurgical Training Institute, MTI, Onitsha, for providing the enabling environment and technical expertise for the smooth execution of the maiden programme.

However , the Minister tasked the graduands to be good ambassadors of the programme and pioneers of a new wave of industrial revitalization.

“Let your actions reflect the values of diligence, excellence, and patriotism you have imbibed here.
As you receive your starter packs today, let them symbolize not an end, but a new beginning — the beginning of your journey into productivity, creativity, and national impact”, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Chris Osa Isokpunwu stated that the programme was not just conceived as a training exercise, but as a platform to ignite dreams, shape ideas, and build a new generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s metal and steel value chain.

Chris sharing an inspiring story of a young man in a small town in Northern Nigeria who started a modest metal fabrication business with just one welding machine and a rented shed, going from door to door repairing gates, metal doors, and window protectors, and who with time, learned how to design security systems, began fabricating agricultural tools, and later diversified into building lightweight steel structures. Today, that young man owns a company that employs over 150 people, supplies steel products across three West African countries, and recently signed a contract with a local government to produce solar-powered kiosks for rural markets, he told the graduands, “the journey does not end here — in fact, this is where it truly begins.”

The Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate Department, Engr. Frederick Ewa, giving the overview of the boot-camp, noted that the initiative was not just a training programme but a movement, a clarion call to action, designed to catalyze the rebirth of Nigeria’s metals and steel sector by investing in its most invaluable resource, the youths.

According to Ewa, a staggering 258,833 applications were received across every state of the country, from which 700 youths were selected through a rigorous but transparent, merit-driven process.

He said: “These young men and women were trained in four strenuous batches here at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha, a citadel of excellence in metallurgical education and practice.”

He also enjoined the graduates to go out and ignite industries, illuminate communities, and forge the future Nigeria deserves.

Also speaking, the General Course Rep. of the programme, Esemuede Omoruyi, appreciated the Federal Government for it’s resolute focus on human capital development and affirmed the graduates commitment to translate the investment into tangible progress, pledging that they will be dynamic contributors to a skilled, innovative and industrious country.