A zonal competition organized for beneficiaries of N-Power Build commenced in Bauchi on Friday, with 250 beneficiaries participating, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The two-day event will feature participants from Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Borno and Yobe  are currently participating in Zonal Artisans Competition and Construction Award taking place in Bauchi state.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Muhammed Musa, Bauchi state Coordinator of  N-power said those who performed  well would proceed to Abuja for National competition.

“This is a competition for artisans from the selected states of Northeast, in which N/power build beneficiaries are participants.

“Those that are engaged under the component of Npower- build, namely tiling, plumbing and automobiles, among others, are participating in this competition.

“They are going to compete here with all other artisans and the best among them will proceed to Abuja for National competition,” said the coordinator.

Musa said that the competition was a collaboration of Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Project (C-STEmp), National Social Investment Office (NSIO), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Council Of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and Nigeria Institute of Builders (NIOB).

Also speaking, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Mr Sanusi Gumau, congratulated the artisans  for having the privilege to be the pioneers of the laudable initiative.

He commended the NSIO, NBTE, CORBON, NIOB and C-STEmp for their collaborative effort in coming up with the initiative, adding that the intervention was the most successful in the history of Nigeria.

In his speech, Bauchi state governor, Mr Muhammed Abubakar, represented by his deputy, Mr Audu Sule,said artisans played important role in the society.

He said what the participants had been trained to build the future of the country, urging them to take their profession seriously.