Onwubuke Melvin
The Anambra State House of Assembly has successfully advanced a bill to its second reading, aiming to revitalize and set up a regulatory framework for the Igbo apprenticeship system, also known as ‘Igba Boi,’ according to Nairametrics.
The “Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Bill 2024” was introduced by Mr. Ejike Okechukwu, the representative for Anaocha Constituency II.
In his statement, Okechukwu stated that the regulation of the apprenticeship scheme would promote profitability and cut down the rate of unemployment.
He pointed out that apprenticeships have been a major source of employment in the Southeast from the 1970s to the 1980s and 90s, involving large numbers of students.
according to him, this has contributed to the South East having some of the largest markets in West Africa.
He said “The trainee system began to die when a servant or trainee would serve his master for years and when it would be time to settle him, stories would come up and the servant would be sacked without any compensation.
“This made most of our young people to begin to see the system as a waste of time and effort.
“This bill is, however, seeking to establish a commission to oversee and create a database to match make individuals with their trades or businesses of interest and with stipulated agreements.
“The bill also looks at the rights of the ‘Oga’ and the trainee. The ultimate objective is to create employments as well as improve trade and commerce in the state.”
The apprentice system among the Igbos, known as Igba-Odibo, Igba-Boi, Imu-Ahia, or Imu-Oru, consists of formal and informal education that helps cultivate entrepreneurial spirit within the Igbo community.
It is an economic model practiced widely by Igbos and originated in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria immediately after the civil war. Its purposes were and still remain to spur economic growth stability, and sustainable livelihood by financing and investing in human resources through vocational training.
During the apprenticeship training period, various skills are acquired. These skills are in the field of engineering, management, and interpersonal matters. Forecasts, human relationship management, inventory control and analysis, opportunity recognition and utilization, supply chain management, quality control, bookkeeping, and accounting are some of these.
The Igbos, who are involved in the transport, construction, manufacturing, real estate, commerce, import and export, retail trade, ICT equipment, artisanship, film, automotive, etc., have demonstrated this training in the provision of sales and service solutions covering all sectors and sectors of the economy.
