GOV. OTU COMMENDS MINISTER OWAN-ENOH FOR FACILITATING NADDC AUTOMOTIVE TRAINING CENTRE (ATC), PERFORMS GROUNDBREAKING/FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY IN AKAMKPA

 

BY Alobo Ishmael Eba 

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu has commended the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh for using his office to facilitate the citing of an Automotive Training Centre in the state. 

Speaking on Friday, August 29, 2025 during the groundbreaking/Foundation laying ceremony of the centre  located at the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Awi, the Governor said  "I extend our profound gratitude to the Federal Government and special thanks to my brother, the Hon. Minister for driving this innovation home. This ceremony symbolises a new turnaround for our growth and development of our youths in the modern automotive industry". 

The governor who was represented by Bon Duke added that "This initiative aligns with our administration's People First Agenda". He called on the host community to safeguard the project jealously saying "To our host community and UEE, I say this is our pride, protect it and support it. My administration will ensure that you are active participants and beneficiaries of this project. I want to categorically state that whatever it takes, the government of Cross River is behind this project and want a successful completion of the project. As we witness this groundbreaking, let the sound of the equipment be a dawn of a new thing in our state". The governor added. 

The Hon. Minister of State for Industry while delivering his keynote address expressed satisfaction and appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of the host university saying "I can see how excited the Vice Chancellor is while making his remark for citing this centre in the university. I don't think there is any other centre across the country that is more befiting than this one because this is what the university was created for. The fact that we are doing the groundbreaking means one thing, that from now on, we will be active participants of the development that goes on in our ecosystem". 

He commended the DG of NADDC for working harmoniously with the ministry to achieve this feat as according to him "Mr. President has announced the Nigeria First policy that points to this direction that we must first talk about everything Nigeria before looking elsewhere. The mandate is to drive skill acquisition, train technicians and Engineers capable of repairing and maintaining our automobiles. I dare say that this centre will be that pipeline producing men and women that will keep Nigeria in the path of industrial growth and development". 

The minister commended the state governor for his support saying that " When there is collaboration between the National and Sub-National government. I thank the Governor for providing land for this project. This is a model for Public-Private Partnership for industrial growth. For our youths, I call on you to take this opportunity and equip yourselves. We are breaking today the barriers to the limitations that has held our youths back over the years". 

The Chairman of the governing Board of the National Automotive Design and Development Council(NADDC), Chief Emma Emeakwu in his remark highlighted the importance of the project saying "Today marks another milestone in the establishment of this training centre. It is about investing in the future of our nation. The facility that we are building today will serve as a hub for knowledge transfer and technical skills. By situating this centre here, we hope to empower technicians, Engineers and innovators and serve as a catalyst for industrial growth and development". 

Chief Emeka added that "We are resolute in ensuring that this project is not only completed and also well equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities. On completion, it will be placed on the PPP model for continued maintenance. Today's groundbreaking is a laying of foundation for hope, opportunity and industrial advancement". 

The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council(NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin in his opening remark assured of a successful completion of the project in record time as he said, "We promise that there will be no setback as we kickstart this project and we are going to complete it in record time. The centre will be built and equipped with modern facilities needed to repair and maintain all kinds of vehicles. All technicians that work in the Auto sector will be trained and also incorporate the students of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa. We promise to work in synergy with the VC and management to ensure that this facility is well equipped and serviced". The DG stated.

In his goodwill message, the DG of MEDA in Cross River, Mr. Great Ogban described the centre as a life-changing venture as according to him, "What we are witnessing today is a planting of seeds of opportunity for a future where our young people can compete and a centre of hope that our rural communities can become a hub of industrial growth and development. By supporting this initiative, the governor has demonstrated his unwavering commitment in the SMEs sector. I want to thank the Hon. Minister for supporting the governor in ensuring that this sector is developed".  

The chairman of Akamkpa LGA, Mr. Felix Akposi in his goodwill message called on the Chiefs of the host community to provide adequate security to both personnel and equipments on site saying "I want to say that Akamkpa never bargained for this but God brought it to us. Our duty is to ensure that we provide security to the project monitoring team. I want to appeal to our Royal father to take charge of this project in terms of security of equipment and personnel". 

On his part, Prof. Patrick Asuquo, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education/Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa in his goodwill message highlighted the mandate of the institution saying "Our core mandate is to train students in line with UNESCO recommendations to graduate here with a service or product to give back to the society. We appreciate the Hon. Minister for your believe in the university and Akamkpa as a whole. We are confident that this centre will not only bridge the gap between academia and industry but also serve as a hub for industrial growth, design, manufacturing and cutting edge automotive technologies". He encouraged the students to seize the opportunity equip themselves of the necessary skills needed as trained automotive technicians.

Highpoint of the event was the groundbreaking and laying of foundation performed by the Governor and Hon. Minister of State for Industry.