BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
In its efforts to boosts technical know-how and support local industries, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD) in partnership with Auto Clinic Centre, Abuja, held a virtual flag-off ceremony for a Certificate Course in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Auto-Diagnostics (ADs).
The ceremony was declared open by the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, represented by the deputy vice chancellor Administration and Chairman of the Vice Chancellor’s Committee on Certificate Courses, Professor Isaac Sammani Rabo Butswat appreciate Auto Clinic Centre for their commitment to the take-off of the certificate course and called on learners to participate actively in the course.
The Special Guest of Honor, Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, represented by the acting permanent secretary of the federal ministry of transportation, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Omaye, said the efforts of NOUN are a giant step in public-private partnership geared towards the support of technological innovation towards addressing the problems of quackery in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: NUJ Urges Media Practitioners to Sustain Interfaith Initiatives in Kaduna
He assured the audience that the ministry would follow up on the progress of the training and called on learners to exploit the opportunity of the course towards value for money with the view of improving the automobile and transportation sector in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, the Keynote speaker, Professor Samuel Gbadebo Odewumi, Special Adviser to the NUC on CNG and Electric Vehicles, and member governing council, University of Transportation Daura, highlighted the challenges and opportunities in the EV industry.
He thanked the Vice Chancellor, NOUN, for the foresight and the promotion of public-private partnership, noting that the certificate course or capacity building on EVs is among the major actions required for effective deployment and diagnostics of EVs in Nigeria.
Professor Odewumi explained that though there are challenges confronting the EV industry, the collaboration between NOUN and Auto Clinic Centre is one sure way of addressing the problems of limited technical expertise or lack of EV technicians.
He promised to ensure that the students of the Lagos State University, School of Transport and Logistics, pass through the course before graduation.
The CEO of Auto Clinic Centre, Mr. Nathaniel Okwesiri who joined from far away Vienna Austria alongside auto expert, Mr. Robert Popiel, thanked the VC, NOUN, and staff for their resilience towards the takeoff of the Certificate in EVs and ADs.
He stated that bad automobile technicians/mechanics are killing people in Nigeria more than medical doctors, and no penalty is meted out on them, unlike the medical profession. He expressed the readiness of the Auto Clinic Centre to sustain the certificate course for good.
The Director, Centre for Human Resource Development, CHRD, Professor Aminu Umar, traced the flag-off to the MoU signed by the VC in September 2023 with three private bodies with a view to supporting practical-oriented knowledge and skills towards addressing the problems of quackery and enabling the populace to unlock their potentials as Nigeria confronts the challenges of the 21st century.
The three-month course includes a one-week internship and is one of eight proposed by the Auto Clinic Centre in its journey of partnering with NOUN for good.
The flag-off is historic in many respects, such as upholding the role of NOUN in community development, providing a ground for persons who are interested in acquiring basic skills to support self and humanity.
He explained that certificate course in Electric Vehicles and Auto-Diagnostics is a significant step towards addressing the challenges of quackery in the automobile industry in Nigeria.
“The collaboration between NOUN and Auto Clinic Centre is a testament to the power of public-private partnership in promoting technological innovation and addressing the needs of the industry.