Niger State Government in partnership with the World Bank has disbursed about Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand Naira (N12, 444,000) to Thirty-Two Master Trainers otherwise known as Skill for Job Facilitators who trained about 1,109 youth in different entrepreneurial and vocational skills.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane shortly after he presented cheques to the 32 Master Trainers held at the NSDC Suites, Minna.
The SSG explained that the over 1000 youth who were drawn from Chanchaga and Bida Local Government Areas were trained in different acquisition skills such as Carpentry, Tailoring, Fashion Designing, Metal Works, Plumbing, Catering and Shoe/Leader Works among several others.
Matane pointed out that the training programme which commenced about two years ago was designed to enable the beneficiaries to acquire skills and become self-reliant, as well as contribute their quota to State and national development.
He revealed that the administration of Governor Sani Bello has made a huge investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and training in various aspects that can make them self-reliant and cater for themselves, their families, and also become employers of labour.
The SSG restated the Government’s readiness to collaborate with any organizations with genuine intention in youth empowerment to create job opportunities, reduce youth restiveness as well as increase the internally generated revenue of the State.
Ahmed Matane stated that Government would not relent in its cardinal principle of youth empowerment as they did not only constitute a formidable force but made up of the next generation of leaders, their well being, therefore had implications not only for their lives but also for the society.
According to the SSG, “the administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello would continue to give priority attention to youth empowerment as well as promote social security so that our future can be secured, both as individuals and as a State through skills acquisition and entrepreneurial programme”.
He enjoined youth in the State to shun all forms of social vices as Government is committed to protecting their rights and privileges.
Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Coordinator, State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU) of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), Abubakar Mohammed Kwatachi said the youth empowerment programme was part of the present administration’s determination to fight poverty, youth restiveness and growing unemployment.
Mohammed Kwatachi commended the State Government for placing youth at the centre of various vocational and entrepreneurship skills development programmes, added that engaging youth in skills acquisition training is crucial to addressing youth restiveness and other social vices.
The highlight of the occasion included goodwill messages from Hon. Commissioner, Niger State Planning Commission, Alhaji Zakari Abubakar, the Provost, Minna Institute Technology and Innovation (MITI), Dr. Nana Bala Ibrahim, appreciation from stakeholders and symbolic presentation of cheques to the Master Trainers.
