Leadership of the Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) has paid a courtesy visit to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to express appreciation for the Commission’s two-million-naira sponsorship support towards the success of the 2025 National Skills Championship (NSC25) held in Abuja.

The visit, which took place at the NCCE Conference Room, also featured the presentation of an award to the Commission’s Director of ICT, Dr. Pius Ekireghwo, in recognition of his dedication, teamwork, and pivotal role as the focal person during the 3rd edition of the Championship. Executive Director of LMF, Professor Steve Nwokeocha, commended the Commission for its sponsorship, noting that NCCE’s intervention has opened doors to more beneficiaries. He recalled that the vision of the Championship is to incentivize young adults to embrace entrepreneurship by providing platforms for mentorship and coaching.

“Since we started in 2022, the idea was embraced by the Ministry of Education, and in 2023, UNESCO took it up. That year alone, we recorded over 1,000 competitors, while UBEC also leveraged on the platform in 2024,” Professor Nwokeocha explained. “The support of NCCE has reinforced our confidence and commitment to empowering aspiring tailors and promoting skill development across the country.” Responding, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, disclosed that the decision to support the Championship was a collective one taken at the Management level. He emphasized that as the regulator of Colleges of Education, the Commission is committed not only to raising knowledgeable teachers for the nation’s primary education sector but also to producing skillful, entrepreneurial-oriented educators.

“In our new curriculum, Garment Making has been introduced as part of the TVET initiative. This aligns with our vision of nurturing teachers who can transfer practical, entrepreneurial skills to the younger generation,” Professor Okwelle noted. He assured that NCCE will work to ensure greater participation of colleges in the next edition of the Championship in 2026. He further commended the Ladi Memorial Foundation for its foresight and consistency, urging the NGO not to relent in expanding its reach, while praying that the initiative continues to have a positive impact on young people.

Giving a vote of thanks, NCCE’s Director of ICT, Dr. Pius Ekireghwo, expressed gratitude for the recognition and award bestowed on him. He thanked the Foundation for its encouragement and assured that the Commission looks forward to even greater collaboration in the coming years.