By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has paid working visit to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) in Nnewi, Anambra State as part of efforts to foster youth industrial training and job creation.
The minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, and members of the Ministry’s team, were warmly received by Chief Innocent Chukwuma (OFR), Chairman and CEO of the Innoson Group, whose humility and steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth remain a source of national pride.
According to a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, on Tuesday said that the Minister commended Innoson’s pioneering role in local innovation and job creation, particularly its ventures in CNG vehicle production, tractor assembly, and other industrial initiatives that present vast opportunities for youth empowerment.
The statement said that during the tour, the Minister interacted with young Nigerians who have benefited from Innoson’s technical training and apprenticeship programmes, including two outstanding young women now excelling as auto-technicians. Their stories, he noted, exemplify the transformative power of skill acquisition and enterprise in shaping a self-reliant generation.
As an outcome of the visit, the Ministry will partner with Innoson to expand youth training, apprenticeship, and enterprise development programmes across the country, focusing on the automotive value chain and allied sectors.
The Minister also met with the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, to explore joint efforts between the federal and state governments in advancing the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” campaign. Both ministries reaffirmed their shared commitment to equipping young Nigerians with practical, income-generating skills that foster productivity, innovation, and self-reliance.
