Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene has urged South East governors and other stakeholders to sustain efforts towards reviving apprenticeship schemes for which Ndigbo are known.
Okeke Ogene while speaking in Awka, the Anambra state capital said this would help the zone tackle challenges of unemployment, crime and social vices.
He recalled that the apprenticeship scheme in the past promoted a sense of enterprise and self-reliance among Ndigbo that advanced human capital development in the region.
Ogene regretted that some crafts like palm wine tapping, blacksmithing, basket and mat weaving are no longer attractive to youths and the upcoming generation and pointed out that refocusing attention and applying technology to such crafts would expand scope of employment and revenue generation that would further raise per capital income.
Chief Okeke Ogene called for review of the academic curriculum to accommodate more technical and vocational subjects that would equip students with necessary skills to become self-reliant after school, noting that apprenticeship schemes remain more effective and efficient in inculcating skills and knowledge in young people than industrial training.
He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his sustained efforts in equipping and empowering youths with skills to become productive and create employment for others, stressing the need for value reorientation to discourage youths from get rich quick syndrome.
