In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration, the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, has pledged to partner with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to establish a vocational training center in Abuja and train Nigerian youths in Lombardy, Italy. This commitment was made during a meeting with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who arrived in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday morning to discuss areas of mutual interest, including agriculture and vocational education.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday, highlighted the potential for collaboration between the Lombardy region and the FCT in agribusiness and vocational training. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, detailed the discussions and outcomes of the meeting.
FCT’s Agricultural Potential and Vocational Training Needs
During the meeting, Minister Wike emphasized the FCT’s vast agricultural resources and the need for vocational training to empower youths and reduce unemployment. He noted that the FCT has over 800,000 hectares of land, with 274,000 hectares earmarked for agricultural development and 270,000 hectares reserved for forestry.
“We are aware that Lombardy Region is very strong in agriculture and vocational education. Ours is to see how we can partner to have investors in agriculture in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. And to also get assistance in the area of vocational education, to train our youths and women, especially in ICT and other skills acquisitions,” Wike stated.
He further explained that vocational training, particularly in ICT, is crucial for creating self-employment opportunities for youths. “Once our youths can employ themselves and are taken off the streets, crime will reduce. Basically, these are the two areas we are seeking that we can partner together and also get assistance from your government,” he added.
Lombardy’s Commitment to Collaboration
In response, President Fontana expressed his administration’s willingness to collaborate with the FCT in agriculture and vocational education. He highlighted Lombardy’s strengths in industry, battery manufacturing, and agriculture, as well as its leadership in technical education in Italy.
“You know that Lombardy Region is very strong in industry and battery manufacturing, apart from agriculture. We have a lot of ideas in agriculture too. We are willing to collaborate with you in the education of the future because a lot of education is about software, innovation, and technology, and it is very important,” Fontana said.
He further noted that Lombardy accounts for more than 30% of Italy’s technical education and offered to establish a vocational training center in Abuja. “We can establish something on vocational training in your country, and you can also come here to learn our kind of education,” he added.
Next Steps: Memorandum of Understanding
President Fontana assured Minister Wike that his office would prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for review and signing by both parties. This agreement will formalize the collaboration and outline the specific areas of partnership, including agricultural development and vocational training.
The FCT delegation, which included the Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the partnership.
Implications for the FCT and Lombardy
The proposed collaboration between the FCT and Lombardy has the potential to transform Abuja’s agricultural sector and empower its youths through vocational training. By leveraging Lombardy’s expertise in modern farming technologies and technical education, the FCT can address key challenges such as food security, unemployment, and skill gaps.
For Lombardy, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its influence and share its knowledge and resources with a rapidly developing region. It also aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable development and international cooperation.
Conclusion
The meeting between the FCT Minister and the President of Lombardy marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Nigeria and Italy. The proposed collaboration in agriculture and vocational education has the potential to create lasting impacts on the lives of Abuja’s residents and contribute to the economic development of the FCT.
As both parties move forward with the preparation and signing of the MoU, the focus will be on ensuring that the partnership delivers tangible benefits for youths, women, and farmers in Abuja. This initiative serves as a model for international collaboration and underscores the importance of leveraging global expertise to address local challenges.
