Liberia: Nigerian UN unit hands over electrical training workshop
A Nigerian peacekeeping unit of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has handed over an electrical technicians training workshop it established through the expertise and financial contribution of its personnel, the mission said today.
A Nigerian peacekeeping unit of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has handed over an electrical technicians training workshop it established through the expertise and financial contribution of its personnel, the mission said today.
At a ceremony outside of the country’s capital, Monrovia, the Nigerian Signal-Six (NISIG-6) unit was commended by Ellen Margrethe Løj, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative, for funding and identifying the need for the workshop, which will now be run by the Catholic-run Don Bosco Youth Centre.
“We need these kind of skills that can be implemented with little capital to set up small ventures and business activities,” the UN Envoy said, stressing the importance of vocational and technical training for Liberian youth in assisting them to become productive members of society following the country’s brutal 15-year civil war.
“The training provides income generation, creates livelihoods, and at the same time provides skilled labour force to support the recovery of the Liberian economy,” she added.
She urged the people of the area to assume ownership of the project to respond to Liberia’s urgent need for skilled and qualified personnel in the area of electrical maintenance.
The Commander of Sector One of UNMIL, Brigadier General Olayemi Abidoye, said the contributions of the NISIG-6 unit honour the memory of soldiers who gave their lives during the peacekeeping operations of the West African regional forces in Liberia.
The Nigerian unit, which maintains communications between UNMIL Force and Sector headquarters, employs a wide-range of advanced equipment and skilled manpower, UNMIL said.