By Emmanuel Antswen
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in collaboration with Simba Group Nigeria has trained 70 auto technicians on mechatronics in Benue.
The Director General (DG/CEO) of NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin, said the training was specially designed to equip auto-technicians with advanced skills in repairs and maintenance of modern tricycles.
Osanipin, who was represented by Dr Nua Omisanya, Director of Industrial Infrastructure, stated this during the closing ceremony of a 5-day training on mechatronics on Friday in Makurdi.
He said that the specialised mechatronics training was on repairs and maintenance of tricycles and motorcycles that use both Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Osanipin said tricycles and motorcycles were increasingly defined by electronic systems and dual-fuel technology (petrol and CNG) rather than purely mechanical.
He said the initiative aimed to address the urgent need to close the automotive skills gap, enhance technical capacity, and create sustainable jobs and livelihoods for Nigerian youth and technicians.
“Through collaboration with stakeholders, including the Simba Group Nigeria, the council has successfully trained over 15,000 technicians in the Mechatronics Programme for Tricycle and Motorcycle Repair and Maintenance.
“Currently, the council has established 21 Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) across the six geopolitical zones with the purpose of fostering continuous skill development,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Hyacinth Alia said his administration has adopted the energy transition plan as a key pillar of his industrialisation agenda.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, Alia said his strategy is centred on establishing industrial parks across all 23 local government areas.
“These parks will crowd in infrastructure, stimulate entrepreneurship, and drive productivity at the grassroots.
“But to succeed, they must be powered by energy that is reliable, affordable, and clean.
“Our goal is simple: to power our transport sector and industrial hubs, make Benue energy sufficient, and ultimately contribute surplus energy to Nigeria’s growth,” he said.
The governor further urged the graduands to use the skills that they have acquired to connect directly to the future of mobility and energy in the country.
Earlier, in his remarks, Mr Sameer Umdhyay, Regional Manager, Simba Group Nigeria, overseeing Abuja and six other states, said CNG is cheaper, reduces the dependency on petrol, and produces low pollution, amongst other things.
Umdhyay said the programme would also create job opportunities and build youth capacity in the energy sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of certificates, start-up tools and funds to the participants. NAN
