By 'Gbenga Bankole
The foremost entrepreneurial University in Nigeria, Joseph Ayo Babalola University recently held a graduation ceremony for 50 non-militant Niger Delta indigenes who went through three months training programme in entrepreneurship building-related skills.
JABU organized the programme in conjunction with the Ministry of Niger Delta.
The non-militant Niger Delta indigenes were trained for three months in entrepreneurship in building-related skills: block-making, bricklaying, tiling, plumbing, interlocks and landscaping.
In addition to being a qualified building engineer, Bibles were given by the chapel unit of JABU to commemorate the graduation and send forth of the graduands.
The graduands built a modern multipurpose convenience as a research project to confirm their skill training course.
The Vice Chancellor of JABU, Prof. Sola Fajana said recently that one of their core values as a 21st Century University is to pursue excellence and maintain high standards in line with their vision to become a world-class university.
Prof Fajana further stated that;"Our University is fostering global linkages to enhance research and academic partnerships. Thus we have made good progress in the area of establishment of positive academic linkages and the promotion of viable programmes locally and overseas."
He noted that JABU has been partnering with the Federal and State Governments and MDAs in Nigeria through their capacity building programmes in Entrepreneurship.
One of the graduands, Mr. Telle Hambaton, from Rivers State appreciated the effort of the Ministry of Niger Delta for awakening the untapped entrepreneurial skill in him.
He noted that he can now construct, layout, survey and build a house of his taste.
He happily expressed himself while nursing a great ambition of starting a contract building engineer company of his own.
Hambaton appreciated the chapel, University and foremost, the Minister of Niger Delta for this creative project to empower the youth and prays many Nigerians will borrow a leaf from this to stem down unemployment in Nigeria.