software, but this training will help me improve. The N-Power programme is a great one. Many trainees never had knowledge of computers before coming here, but now know a lot.
“I want the government to continue with this programme because it takes a lot of people off the street. N- Power keeps youths occupied. There is a saying that the idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, if you’re employed, you won’t have time for evil things. I will advise beneficiaries not to relent after the training. ICT is the main thing now, so beneficiaries should earn a living after the training.”
Another beneficiary of N-Knowledge, Mr. Umar Ahmed Sarki, said the programme is of immense benefit to youths and should be continued.
“We get paid weekly for feeding. I have collected three distinct payments of N8, 400 per week. I am from Gombe state, but I reside here in Abuja. The teachers are very good. We initially had the problem of not getting laptops since getting here, but they arrived yesterday and will be disbursed shortly.
“We got a lot of knowledge in the theoretical part, but the practical is important, which is why we really need the laptops. We have a lot of testimonies to share. The N-Power program is a good one. We thank the government for empowering the youth with monthly stipends. We hope it will be sustained by the incoming administration,” he said.
Facilitators’ take
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, a facilitator of N-Creative (script writing) and the CEO of Chroma Creative Consult, Mr. Marvelous Abutu, said the beneficiaries of the N-Power programme would learn a lot on self-empowerment using literary skills needed in the creative industry.
He said: “We started the N-Creative class by addressing habit formation. Habit is core in any skill one wants to acquire. We then moved on to the concept of script writing as part of the creative process. We then zeroed down to screenplay writing and requirements. We talked about character formation and presently on dialogue.
“So far, the class has been good. We started officially on 10th of February. However, we haven’t gotten the full class we expected as many beneficiaries had different complaints not to turn up, including short notice, distance, among others. We are in week four of the training. Some even received N15, 000 transportation fare after coming to register and then disappeared. Nevertheless, the present participants are really encouraging. They’re learning a lot and open to the idea of making foray into the world of scriptwriting.
“Although those who registered and disappeared are discouraging, they cannot boast of the knowledge being acquired by those in the class. I will tell those in class not to underrate the knowledge they are getting. Those who are just resuming always get recap of what we have taught earlier on. We do that almost every week. At the end of the training, they will be given tools. So, there will be monitoring to ensure they are productive. They will be mentored. The business aspect of the training will be taught in week six.”
On his part, the programme manager of Software Training and CEO of Flash Computer and Communication, Mr. Temitope Folorunsho, said the knowledge acquired from the training on ICT would sustain the beneficiaries for the rest of their lives if they could apply them in their daily activities. According to him, the programme will establish the foundation of knowledge, platform and tools upon which trainees can pursue careers as software development entrepreneurs.
Folorusho, who lauded the federal government for ensuring that they were accommodated in a decent environment to learn, said the N-Power Software training “is intended to educate and empower young people from disadvantaged communities using ICT.”
He said: “We teach them web design, graphics and basic ICT knowledge. My team and I like imparting knowledge to students. This is so that by tomorrow they can do even better than us. So, my expectation is that they should learn this as if their lives depend on it. They should also make use of it after the class. I want to see them flying in society.
“Basically, the software training focuses mainly on web development, graphic design and basic IT skills. We were mobilised in December last year, while the students resumed officially on 10th of February. They were given one week to resume. So, we commenced the training officially on the 17th February and it has been going well so far.
“We have received the delivery of their laptops and we will be handing them over to the trainees officially and also connect them to the internet so that they will train better. I always counsel the students on the need to shift their mind-sets to attain their goals. Developing digital skills will allow them to feel more confident in using emerging technology and will make them faster in finishing tasks in their respective organisations. For example, IT skills will enable them to save money and time as they will be able to solve technical issues independently.”
