Wike returns, says Lombardy’s agreements to boost youth employment, economy

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike returned to Abuja yesterday, following an official visit to Italy, where he solidified bilateral cooperation with the Lombardy Regional government in Italy.

Wike assured that the agreements reached will significantly boost the FCT’s economy and create employment opportunities.

An e-signed statement from Director of Press,(Office of the Minister), Anthony Ogunleye disclosed that Wike spoke shortly after he arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Minister stated that key outcomes of his meeting with the President of the Lombardy Regional Government, Attilo Fontana include an agreement to establish a vocational center in Abuja, providing crucial skill training for youth, and a partnership to modernize FCT agriculture.

He said, “Our visit was very fruitful. We had a memorandum of understanding with Lombardy to establish a vocational centre in the FCT where our youths will be trained in skill acquisition, and also trying to establish some form of mechanized agriculture that will create employment for our people, and also trying to improve our economy.

“So, I think the visit is worthwhile and I thank the government of Lombardy for that cooperation”.

It added that the Minister emphasized the trip’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and its potential to attract foreign investors to the FCT.

He adds:“You know that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, if you see the shuttles Mr. President has made, it’s to create relationships with other countries, how we can cooperate to improve our country’s economy.

” So, I think with what we have done now, there is hope that investors will come into the country.”

It may be recalled that the FCT Minister last week met with the President of Lombardy Regional Government in Italy, Attilo Fontana, who promised that his government will collaborate with the FCT Administration, to strengthen vocational education by establishing a training centre in Abuja and also facilitate training of youths from Abuja in Lombardy.