The Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC) has honoured the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, for his commitment to youth empowerment through vocational skills acquisition.
The association presented the lawmaker with an Award of Recognition during a courtesy visit by its Delta State executives, describing his sponsorship of scaffolding training for youths as a practical intervention that has enhanced employability and strengthened technical capacity among artisans.
Speaking during the visit, the Assistant National General Secretary of NAEC, Engn. Craft. Isaac Ehwerherume, said the association visited the senator to appreciate his deliberate investment in vocational education and skills development.
He said the scaffolding training programme had recorded remarkable success, with several beneficiaries securing employment shortly after completing the exercise.
Ehwerherume noted that the initiative had also encouraged more young people to embrace engineering crafts, adding that investing in technical skills remains one of the most effective ways of addressing youth unemployment.
Also speaking, the Delta State Chairman of NAEC, Engn. Craft. Atiku Sirajo Abubakar, PhD, lamented the shortage of certified technical personnel in the country despite Nigeria’s large youth population.
He said many multinational companies still rely on skilled artisans from countries such as India, Pakistan and other parts of Asia because of the shortage of qualified local manpower.
Abubakar advocated closer collaboration between the association and Senator Dafinone to identify critical skills gaps and expand vocational training in line with the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) and National Occupational Standards (NOS), with the aim of producing globally competitive artisans.
Responding, Senator Dafinone expressed appreciation to the association for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to expanding vocational training opportunities for youths across Delta Central.
He said the scaffolding programme was introduced after research identified it as one of the most sought-after technical skills in the labour market.
“Our goal is to equip young people with practical skills that will guarantee employment. We have trained 100 youths in scaffolding, and some of them secured jobs within one week of completing the programme,” he said.
The senator disclosed that plans were underway to introduce additional specialised vocational training programmes in other high-demand sectors, adding that future beneficiaries would be selected based on commitment and genuine need.
He urged Nigerian youths to embrace technical and vocational education alongside formal learning, stressing that practical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship remain critical to reducing unemployment and promoting self-reliance.
Dafinone also encouraged youths, especially those in rural communities, to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture as a sustainable means of livelihood.
