The Cross River State Government has commenced a six month Electric Vehicle (EV) Repairs and Maintenance Training Programme for 1,000 youths as part of efforts to promote technical skills, create employment opportunities and position the state as a hub for electric mobility technology.
By Victoria Omini- CALABAR
The programme, organised through the Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme (CRYES) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and Shema Energy Limited, is designed to equip beneficiaries with practical knowledge in electric vehicle diagnostics, repairs, maintenance and assembly.
Speaking at the official flag off ceremony, Chairman of CRYES, Dr. Kalita Joseph Aruku, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the state's youth empowerment drive, noting that it reflects Governor Bassey Edet Otu's commitment to preparing young people for emerging opportunities in the technology and green energy sectors.
Aruku said the programme was part of the governor's broader vision to ensure that Cross River youths acquire relevant technical skills to support the state's transition towards cleaner energy and modern transportation.
He disclosed that the state had procured an environmentally friendly fleet comprising 10 electric buses with 50 seat capacity, 20 electric buses with 14 seat capacity, 100 electric sedan cars, 500 electric tricycles and 200 electric motorcycles.
According to him, the investment creates a demand for skilled technicians who can maintain and repair the vehicles, adding that the training would prepare young people to become part of the workforce supporting the expanding electric mobility industry.
The CRYES chairman expressed appreciation to the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education and Shema Energy Limited for their support and collaboration in making the programme possible.
He urged the selected trainees to approach the opportunity with discipline, commitment and determination, stressing that the knowledge acquired could open doors to employment, entrepreneurship and economic independence.
Representing Governor Otu, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Patrick Egbede, said the state government's investment in skills development was deliberate and aimed at ensuring that empowerment initiatives translated into sustainable livelihoods.
Egbede highlighted previous youth development programmes facilitated by the state government, including agricultural training for 400 beneficiaries in Nasarawa State, who were subsequently empowered with ₦2 million each to invest in their ventures.
He also cited the state's information and communication technology training initiatives, which exposed young people to cybersecurity, frontend development, product design, business development and artificial intelligence.
According to him, the ICT training was extended from three months to five months following requests from prospective employers who wanted participants to acquire deeper practical knowledge before being absorbed into their organisations. He added that many of the beneficiaries had subsequently secured employment with the Federal Government.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state had recently commenced another artificial intelligence training programme, with 250 participants expected to be trained in each of the state's three senatorial districts.
He said the various initiatives were designed to position Cross River as a centre for technical competence and innovation, where employers could confidently recruit skilled and qualified workers.
Egbede described the electric vehicle training as a strategic investment in building a sustainable local maintenance and assembly ecosystem, noting that the growing number of electric vehicles in Nigeria would increase demand for qualified technicians.
He urged Shema Energy Limited to give adequate attention to practical assessments during the training, observing that some participants might demonstrate stronger technical abilities through hands on activities than written examinations.
The commissioner further encouraged the trainees to take the programme seriously, adding that successful participants would receive certificates upon completion of the six month training, which could strengthen their employment prospects locally and internationally.
He said the transition from fossil fuel powered transportation to electric mobility would create specialised technical jobs while supporting environmental sustainability and the state's green development agenda.
In his remarks, the Head of Skills and Strategy at Shema Energy Limited, Prince Dominic Usi, described the programme as an opportunity for Cross River youths to acquire skills in a rapidly evolving industry.
Usi, a former student of the University of Calabar, said the initiative was designed to prepare participants for the technical demands of electric vehicle maintenance and repair through a structured six month training programme.
He explained that the training would comprise three months of intensive learning and practical instruction, followed by a further three months of specialised training. Participants would also receive stipends throughout the programme, subject to the applicable attendance requirements.
According to him, biometric attendance monitoring would be used to ensure regular participation, while trainees would access learning materials through an online portal containing different training modules.
He explained that participants would be required to complete practical exercises on electric vehicles and upload live video evidence of their work to the training portal as part of their assessment before progressing to subsequent modules.
Usi identified diagnostics and mechatronics among the major components of the training, explaining that participants would learn to identify faults in electric vehicles and tricycles, understand the processes involved in resolving technical problems and acquire relevant assembly skills.
He urged the trainees to comply with the programme's attendance rules, including reporting for training and completing the required clock in procedures before 9 a.m.
The Shema Energy representative also introduced the designated skills training centre managers responsible for supporting participants in Calabar Municipality and Ogoja, advising trainees to contact them for assistance with registration, the online portal and other programme related concerns.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the state's technical workforce, expand employment opportunities for young people and support the maintenance of electric vehicles as Cross River continues to embrace cleaner transportation alternatives.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to Governor Otu's People First agenda, with youth empowerment, job creation and technical capacity development remaining central to its development priorities.
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