Over 250 youths undergoing training at DAKKADA acquisition centre — Rector

Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), Ikot Ada Idem in Ibiono Ibom local government area, Akwa Ibom State, has been described as a bustling hub of learning and skills development as over 520 youths are undergoing training at the centre.

A recent unscheduled visit to the institution revealed that contrary to speculations in some quarters that the school is a mere “glorified technical school” with no activities, the institution is active and running.

The visit which was organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, who led some journalists on a tour of the center on Tuesday also revealed that the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno is not playing politics with governance but is sincerely working to connect the dots and make life better for the people.

Conducting journalists round different departments of the center, the Rector, Prof Enoidem Usoroh in the company of the Chairman, Governing Council, Chief Churchil Udoh, and other management Staff of the center, described the visit as timely and important.

Some of the departments visited with Trainees spotted in classes include Information and communication technology, ICT, Fashion and design, catering, shoe making, fisheries, livestock, poultry, snail farm, furniture, welding and fabrication, and lots more.

Speaking during the tour, the Rector, Prof Usoroh said since the inauguration of the Governing Council, the center has been up and running.

“From 20th May 2024 when the Governing Council was inaugurated, we went to work, set modalities, opened portals for registration, and conducted all the required tests and examinations for both trainees and trainers.

“The Governor, through the Education Commissioner, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet officially flagged off full operations of the center on September 11th.

“Recall that the Governor had promised to sponsor at least five trainees per Local government, so we currently have 250 Trainees in the center; 200 government-sponsored and 50 private trainees.

“Each of those private Trainees pay a fee of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, which covers accommodation, training kits, and other expenses excluding feeding.

“The center currently has five faculties: Agriculture, Hospitality and lifestyle management, metal and steel fabrication, wood technology, ICT in addition to general entrepreneurial trainings.”

Also fielding questions from journalists, the Chairman, Governing Council, Chief Churchill Udoh who said the center is a full-boarding institution, added that DASAC can take up to 500 Trainees per batch in the modern UNESCO standard.

“Despite having over 2,000 applications, we decided to start this facility with 250 Trainees because as Entrepreneurs, we believe in the philosophy of starting small and growing big.

“Before being admitted, all Trainees took aptitude test, did written exams, did practical and still went through screening conducted by a team from University of Lagos.” Udoh added.

On the sustainability plan, Chief Udoh said the management team of the institution is made up of people with proven integrity and excellent records capable of taking the institution to an enviable height.