By Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has commended the Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for training 800 youths and women in the State on various entrepreneurial skills in line with sustainable development goals aimed at reducing rate of unemployment by making them employers of labour and skills trainers.
The successful beneficiaries were on Saturday, presented with starter packs to begin operations on their own under the Supported Inclusive Basic Service Delivery Programme.
The initiative which was a collaboration between the State, Federal Government and African Development Bank (AfDB), aimed to empower beneficiaries across the Twenty local government areas of the state.
Under the Bauchi State FGN/AFDB Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme. The Bauchi State, Federal Government of Nigeria, African Development Bank (AfDB), supported Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed described the programme as a testament to the governmentโs commitment to addressing youth restiveness and reducing dependence on white-collar jobs.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, the Governor said that his administration will continue to partner relevant stakeholders in empowering youths and women for sustainable growth and development.
While appreciating the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Government for the support, Bala Mohammed charged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity by becoming employers of labour rather than job seekers.
He commended the Federal Government and the African Development Bank for their vital roles in ensuring the programmeโs success and called for sustainance of the collaborative effort.
The State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Garba Babaji Magaji stated that the starter packs were provided to support the trained beneficiaries in establishing businesses in their respective communities to promote self-reliance.
He also praised the discipline and dedication of the beneficiaries throughout the months-long training and urged them to utilize the tools responsibly to improve their livelihoods.
Garba Babaji Magaji itemized the trades to include electrical and solar installations, motor vehicles repairs, knitting, vulcanizing, plumbing, hair dressings, photography and video production, carpentry and wood work, tailoring and dressings and many other skills primarily for the participants to acquire practical skills and become self-employed.
He then appreciated State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his support to the project and that the State Project implementation unit is working hard to scale up various programmes that would capture more youths and women in the State.
Also speaking, Bauchi State Representative in the Programme, Alh Baba Isa, described the project as a veritable tool towards curbing unemployment among youths and women.
He commended the Governor for his support in ensuring that the training programme succeeded in spite of the unavoidable problems during the implementation.
The twenty two vocational trades covered under the programme include aluminium fabrication, barbing, carpentry, electrical and solar installation, computer operations and maintenance, make up, photography and video production, plumbing and water fitting, and GSM device repairs, among others.
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