Institute trains over 1000 youths in 3 states on leather production
The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) has trained more than 1000 youths in three states in leather processing and production.
The Director General of the institute, Prof. Mohammed Yakubu, who made this known, listed the states to include Nasarawa, Sokoto and Borno.
He said that the collaboration with Nasarawa State Government involved the setting up of a school and training of 750 people to acquire skills in the processing of leather products over the next five years.
“We are going to have a school in Doma. The state government will provide the building, equipment and funding for us to run a skill acquisition programme for roughly 150 people in the state every year over the next five years.
“The target is to train 750 skilled artisans in the area of leather and leather products. We have already signed the agreement and we are in the process of purchasing the equipment, and before the end of the year, we are going to start the project in earnest,” Mohammed added.
The director general also said the institute and Borno State Government had agreed to set up a centre and tannery in the state.
“We visited the governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and he graciously accepted to build our centre there to be a cluster for states around Borno. We already have a tannery, and he is going to provide us the equipment needed and expand our workshop there.
“It is to train their youths displaced by years of conflict. We are going to expand our activities in Maiduguri, and the governor has even pledged to give housing accommodation for our staff.
“We are really happy with the level of commitment shown by Governor Zulum, he has really shown interest in our activities and is willing to support us.”
Mohammed further said the project will support the healing process and ensure proper resettlement of displaced persons in Borno State.
“It is important to provide skills to internally displaced persons so that they can take back their lives and have a means of livelihood. We visited one of the IDP camps in Maiduguri, we saw what they were doing in terms of different trades, and I believe we can do much better work on those interested in acquiring skills in leather works. The governor has seen reason behind that and is ready to collaborate.”
According to him, NILEST will also train 500 youths over the next six months in Sokoto State to acquire skills in making leather products.
The NILEST director general said this followed the successful training of 100 people sponsored earlier by the state government.
“When the new governor of Sokoto State came on board, especially when he wanted to showcase what he has done in his first 100 days, NILEST featured prominently there because we trained 100 indigenes of the state for about one month.
“What they were able to produce in one month impressed the governor and he asked us to train another set of about 500 people within the next six months.
“He has seen what we can do and how those trained were kept busy, offering them means of livelihood. He wants to make Sokoto another Ariaria within a very short time.”
Mohammed also said the institute has been collaborating with educational institutions within and outside the country in various aspects.
“We have collaboration within and outside Nigeria. We have collaboration with the Institute of Leather in Portugal, we paid a visit to them three months ago. We also have collaboration with the leather institute in Chennai, India which was established a hundred years ago.
“We want to collaborate with them in exchange of staff and training, so that our staff can go there and get their MSC and PhD.
“We are also collaborating with Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto. We have signed an MoU for exchange of staff, training, research and development in all areas we are involved in. This is important for the country. If we engage with universities, it is going to boost our research portfolio,” the NILEST director general added.
