The Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
The visit aimed to strengthen the ongoing collaboration between NADDC and the State, focusing on the growth of the automotive sector and the empowerment of local youth.
During the meeting, Osanipin highlighted the recent initiatives in the state, including the training of 60 technicians in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and the successful completion of a CNG Empowerment and Awareness Training program for 500 participants.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Uzodinma for his unwavering support, particularly for the allocation of land for the establishment of an Auto Hub in Owerri, which would be a key development for the state’s automotive industry.
Governor Uzodinma, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of expanding training opportunities for Imo artisans and youths, urging the need for equipping them with modern tools and skills to drive economic growth.
He expressed a keen interest in ensuring the continuation of such training programs and partnerships, particularly with NADDC, to empower more youths in the state. Uzodinma also inquired about the resumption of construction work on the NADDC facility, which would be built on the land donated by the state.
Dr. Emeka Mandela, the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Talent Hunt in Imo State, was also present at the meeting.
He underscored the importance of increasing the number of youths involved in the program and the need for a physical structure to house more CNG kits for training.
He noted that such efforts would ensure a larger and more sustainable impact for the state.
The discussions also touched on the NADDC training curriculum, the tools and equipment provided to trainees, and the collaborative efforts with other organizations such as PCNGI and NATA.
These partnerships are pivotal in ensuring the success of the training programs and the overall development of the automotive sector in Imo State.
Both parties expressed a commitment to continuing their collaboration, with the shared goal of driving economic growth and providing sustainable opportunities for the youth of Imo State.
