The Federal government has launched the National Sewing Championship (NSC)/Talent Hunt targeting youths from ages 12 to 22 years across Nigeria for training and empowerment.
While declaring the NSC for 2024 open on Tuesday at the World Youth Day in Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim commended the initiative.
She expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the NSC24. “I have before me here three trophies for the Championship, one for the best, then the first runner up and the second runner up.
“I pray that I will be there to present one or two of these trophies to the winners. Therefore, I encourage you to do very well in the competition ” she stated.
The Minister further disclosed that apart from the trophies, “I have other things in place that I will not be disclosing yet, but I can assure you that we will be supporting this Talent Hunt greatly through the ministry and other programs”.
Speaking in celebration of World Youth Day 2024, Ibrahim said that the United Nations General Assembly’s design for this day is to raise awareness about the importance of skill acquisition among young people.
She noted that the commemoration aims to appreciate and celebrate the contributions of skills acquisition and its development impact in nations around the world with the primary objective of reducing poverty.
Jamila explained that the ministry is putting in place programmes and initiatives that would encourage and support job creation and most importantly, reduce the high rates of unemployment among young people in Nigeria.
Commenting on the launch of the National Sewing Championship, Coordinator of the Talent Hunt and Executive Director of Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) Mrs Rosemary Ojechemini Osikoye said the Pilot Scheme of the programme in 2023 had participation of over 1,200 youths.
“Nigeria has a lot of youthful talents who have a lot within the schools, and they don’t have a platform to express themselves. So when this competition goes on, it allows everybody within the space of Nigeria to showcase their talents”.
She commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, “Today, the minister demonstrates that you can actually pick a good idea and support it without really knowing anybody, that is the spirit of Nigeria and Nigeria we need for tomorrow”.
Osikoye said the programme is expecting over 40, 000 participation from youths across the nation.
“In Kano, we are told that the population is expected to be about 1000 or more, even for FCT, multiply 1000 by 36 states, it means that with the right support, we should expect about 40,000 youth participation in the NSC24”.
She called on all eligible constants to register for the Talent Hunt.
On his part, the Vice Chairman of LMF Board, Engr. Kashim Ali explained that the Championship is designed to train talented youths and also empower them for economic growth.
NSC24 will produce champions at the state level, these champions will compete at regional level and Regional champions will emerge.
The regional champions will then compete at national level where national champions will emerge.
and then