The Ebonyi government has commended Governor Charles Soludo for signing the Igbo Apprenticeship Model, otherwise known as ‘Igba Boi’, into law to protect apprentices.

Ikeuwa Omebe, the commissioner for information and orientation, made the commendation in an interview in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

The Anambra government passed the ‘Igbo Apprenticeship Bill’ into law sometime in August, providing a robust legal framework for the system.

The law caps apprenticeship duration at seven years, mandates basic education for apprentices, and establishes the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission to oversee training standards and resolve disputes.

Mr Omebe said that modernising the traditional system was a welcome development, as the global economy continued to advance.

“Extending the apprenticeship model beyond traditional crafts and artisan trades is good, as it covers a wider range of entrepreneurial endeavours and modern business standards. So, it is good to recognise and protect the unique nature of traditional Igbo apprenticeships,” he said.

The commissioner described the Igbo apprenticeship system as a “veritable means of grooming young chap into an entrepreneur and urged the youths to embrace skill learning to become self-reliant.

“The Igbo apprenticeship system has empowered so many young people. It has been an avenue for the fight against unemployment. The system is a viable means of skill acquisition.

“We cannot do away with skill acquisitions. I urge the young people, who are majorly unemployed, to learn skills to support government policies toward job creation. I am happy that the government of Anambra has passed the apprenticeship system into law, which has helped many homes.

“I pray that some other states in the South-East and Nigeria will do the same like that of Anambra state, to protect the apprentices and their rights,” Mr Omebe stated.

(NAN)