The Anambra State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the Igba Boi Apprenticeship Bill.
The bill also provides for the establishment of the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission, responsible for issuing certificates of completion to apprentices who fulfil the terms of the agreement.
Somtochukwu Udeze, speaker of the house, while declaring the hearing open, said that the 2024 sponsored bill, when passed, would help to prevent abuse, promote transparency, and preserve a key cultural and economic practice in the Igbo society.
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“We are taking what our fathers gave us and building a stronger version for generations to come,” Udeze said.
Ejike Okechukwu, lawmaker representing Anaocha II Constituency and sponsor of the bill, explained that it also seeks to discourage exploitation by ensuring the 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 the registered apprentices and their masters, and a platform for resolving disputes between the parties,” Okechukwu said.
Innocent Ojike, chairman, House on Commerce, Trade and Industry, representing Oyi Constituency, said that the bill would boost investor confidence and standardise the traditional system to align with global best practices.
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Stakeholders at the hearing, including market leaders, masters, traders, artisans, youth groups, and their apprentices, commended the House of Assembly for the public hearing.
They noted that when passed, it would help to strengthen the “Igba Boi” system that has produced many successful business people in the state, the country, and the globe.
