NITT Outreach Learning Centre Inaugurated in Kumo, Gombe State

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says the establishment of the Gombe Outreach Learning Centre of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT in the Gombe State will offer an opportunity for youths in the State and the North East sub-region to acquire skills and become gainfully employed.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated this at the commissioning ceremony of the Gombe Outreach Learning Centre of the National Institute of Transport Technology in Kumo.

He described the siting of the Centre in the State as apt and timely in view of the programmes it will offer, saying Gombe is honoured to have been chosen to host the learning Centre of the National Institute of Transport and Technology, NITT.

“I must therefore commend the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Indeed NITT Zaria for selecting Gombe State for the establishment of the Centre. I must say there would not have been a better choice than Gombe State because we are at centre of the North East Zone and share common border with all the other five sister States”.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said he was made to understand that the Centre has been equipped with modern state-of-the–art facilities and equipment for research, practical and theoretical training in all modes of transportation, thereby offering wide range of courses leading to the award of Advanced Professional Diplomas, Professional Diplomas and Professional Certificates in Transport and Logistics.

“We are particularly happy to learn that the Centre will run skill acquisition programmes in Auto Mechatronics, Electrical, Body Work (Panel Beating), Spraying (Painting and Decorations), Vehicle Wheel Balancing and Alignment, Vulcanizing, Welding and Fabrication, Passenger Vehicle operation and Management, Tricycle Operation and Management, Motorcycle Operation and Management, Tractor and other Farm Plants Operation and management as well as Women Small Scale Business Enterprises Empowerment Programmes”.

The Governor observed that the courses will no doubt assist the youths with the relevant skills and know-how to realize their dreams and become self-reliant.

He said the North East zone has been bedevilled with insecurity for more than a decade, which has affected the means of livelihood of the people especially the youths who form the majority of the citizens, saying the existence of this institute will offer an opportunity to acquire skills and become gainfully employed.

“Gombe state Government under my leadership is ready and willing to support any person who is interested in enrolling into programmes of the Institute. I’m therefore calling on our youths to take advantage of this exciting opportunity,

I must emphasize here that transportation is an important enabler of development”.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that any government or nation which toys with transportation sector is doing so at its own peril, saying it in realization of the importance of Transportation to economic growth that the state government has been according the sector the desired attention.

“Apart from sustaining the services and operations of the Gombe State Transport Agency (Gombe Line), the State Government is equally providing similar support to the Gombe International Airport where aviation services are being provided to the people of the Sub-region”.

He used the opportunity to assure that the State Government will continue to support the transport sector to facilitate movement of people, goods and services thereby boosting the economy.

The Governor appealed to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation to hasten the resuscitation of the Port Harcourt – Gombe- Maiduguri rail line to boost economic activities and ease transportation in these areas.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the management of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria of his administration’s support to the Centre to enable it achieve the purpose for which it was established.

“For a start, I wish to announce that the Gombe State Government will sponsor some youths to enrol in the skill acquisition programmes of the centre. May I also appeal to my colleagues to also patronize the Centre by sponsoring their youths to enrol in these programmes as part of efforts to build the skills and capacities of our teeming youth”.

The Minister of State for Transportation , Senator Gbemisola Saraki said the centre was established to reposition the activities of the National Institute of Transport Technology NITT Zaria in the training and retraining of manpower to improve the nation’s transport system, safety and reduce carnage on the highways.

She said the Institute will serve clients in the North East, adding that Gombe was selected to host the centre due to its strategic location and centrality to other states within the region.

While underscoring the importance of transportation to the growth and development of any nation, Senator Gbemisola said the Federal Ministry of Transportation is investing heavily in the resuscitation of rail and maritime transport in the country.

Earlier in his address of the welcome, the Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology NITT, Bayero Salih Farah said the Gombe outreach learning Centre Kumo was established to fill in the transportation gap inherent in the North East sub-region.

He said the centre is fully equipped to offer relevant transportation courses leading to the award of Diploma and certificates to prospective students of the centre.

H e said that the centre was sited in Gombe State to serve the North East Geo-Political zone, urging individuals, public and private sector players to avail themselves of the opportunity and enrol in the institute.