By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) has launched a six-week skills training programme for 486 young people under a European Union-funded initiative aimed at empowering returnee and vulnerable youths across the country.
The project, themed “Training of Youths in Demand-Driven Skills,” is funded by the European Union through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the Migrant Protection, Return, and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Participants will undergo intensive practical training and, upon completion, will receive nationally accredited certificates from the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVE).
Speaking at the induction ceremony held at NAYCOM’s Obasanjo Skills Training College, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Patrick Michaelson Gibrilla, called on implementing partners to recognize returnee youths as “second chancers” who have overcome significant challenges and are ready to contribute positively to national development.
He urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously, emphasizing that discipline and commitment are essential to becoming self-reliant and economically productive.
NAYCOM Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai reaffirmed the Commission’s mandate to design, coordinate, monitor, and implement youth development programmes nationwide. He pledged to expand opportunities for young people through sustained partnerships with development partners.
Commissioner Lahai also reiterated President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to creating an enabling environment in which youths can thrive.
Addressing the 486 trainees, Lahai disclosed that NAYCOM has already identified potential employers willing to engage graduates of the programme, ensuring that the skills acquired translate into meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods.
The Officer-in-Charge of IOM, Dr. Pauline Macharia, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to youth empowerment, particularly for those affected by irregular migration. She commended NAYCOM for the collaboration and expressed optimism about strengthening future partnerships.
The initiative forms part of broader national efforts to tackle youth unemployment and irregular migration by equipping young people with market-relevant skills that support reintegration and long-term economic stability.