Anambra State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on Igba Boi Apprenticeship Bill, 2024.
Angel Network News (ANN) gathered that
the bill also provides for the establishment of the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission, responsible for issuing certificates of completion to apprentices who fulfill the terms of their agreement.
Anambra Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon.
Somtochukwu Udeze, while declaring the hearing open, said the bill, when passed, would help to prevent abuse, promote transparency, and preserve a key cultural and economic practice in Igbo society.
“We are taking what our fathers gave us and building a stronger version for generations to come.” Udeze said.
The lawmaker representing Anaocha two Constituency, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu who was the sponsor of the bill explained that it also seeks to discourage exploitation by ensuring that all contractual agreements are clearly defined, with written agreements spelling out duties, duration, and conditions for settlement at the end of the apprenticeship.
“The bill’s key features include compulsory documentation of apprenticeship agreements, the creation of a database of all registered apprentices and their masters, and a platform for resolving disputes between the parties’. Okechukwu said.
In his address, the Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Innocent Ojike, representing Oyi Constituency, said the bill would boost investor confidence and standardize the traditional system to align with global best practices.
Stakeholders at the hearing, including market leaders, masters, traders, artisans, youth groups, and their apprentices, commended the House of Assembly for the public hearing, noting that when passed, it would help to strengthen the “Igba Boi” system that has produced many successful business people in Anambra State, the country, and the globe.
