Julius Berger Supports Government Efforts To Empower Young People As Another Batch Of Trainees Graduates

Despite the country’s current economic and related downturns, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, a leading engineering construction company, continues to assist the federal government in empowering young people for a better future. This comes as another group of trainees graduate from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc’s Plant and Equipment Academy.

Last weekend, Alhaji Abdulaziz Kaita, the company’s Director of Administration, described the event as a celebration of the company’s consistent and proactive contributions to the country’s industrial and technological development. He emphasised that the government cannot be solely responsible for preparing Nigeria’s youth for a successful future. Alhaji Kaita believes that patriotic corporate citizens should seek ways to help the government in the aforementioned areas.

You cannot just leave everything to the government; you must also contribute. Nigeria has one of the world’s largest youth populations, not just in Africa, but worldwide, with young people accounting for 70% of the total. So, out of a total population of 220 million, 150 million are aged 23 to 38. Kaita emphasised the importance of training the current population.

The Director expressed concern about Nigeria’s rising insecurity and suggested that more youth be trained to help alleviate the situation.

He revealed that one of the reasons the construction company established its Plant and Equipment Academy was to complement the government’s efforts to empower youths, while also challenging other corporate entities in the country to follow suit for better results. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc established a Plant Academy to support the government’s efforts. Companies like Julius Berger support the government’s efforts to train and employ young people, keeping them off the streets. Julius Berger is not the only person who should do this.”I am also calling on other companies to emulate what Julius Berger is doing, to train people, so that we can get all of the youths off the streets,” he said.

Kaita concluded that the Organisation for Economic Cooperation’s report shows that this type of training improves performance. He went on to say, “According to the report, people who are trained perform 26% better than those who are not trained at all.” I believe many of you will work for Julius Berger. However, I am confident that you will add value to any company you join. This is both timely and commendable. We have trained about 40 technicians since opening this academy, and I believe 16 are graduating today. This is an excellent accomplishment.

Kaita thanked the Armed Forces Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Mechatronic School (AFEME), a key partner in Julius Berger’s project, for their ongoing assistance.

Francois Roos, Head of Julius Berger’s Plant and Equipment Department, praised the graduating students for using the training program to grow personally and inspire others to do the same. Roos emphasised the importance of motivating others to pursue training and sharing knowledge with those around them. He also thanked those who helped the trainees succeed.

Senior Julius Berger officials who attended the event included Head of Human Resources Olorunfemi Ojomo, Senior Manager of Training Festus Akin Ogunfuyi, Talent Manager Adeyinka Adeniyi, Academy Coordinator Ajamah Himernuel, Head of Corporate Communications Department James Agama, and Media Relations Office Happiness Moses Mnipr.