As part of efforts to reduce unemployment especially among youths, the Yobe State has trained and supported 85 youths selected from across the 17 local government areas of the state in shoemaking with starter kits for self-reliance.
The training organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation was part of the state government’s empowerment initiative geared towards reducing joblessness and redundancy for better progress.
Governor Mai Mala Buni represented by his deputy, Hon Idi Barde Gubana, while distributing the starter kits said the government decided to embark on training the youths on various forms of skills acquisition programmes among other empowerment with a view to enhancing the per capita income as well as economic status of the state.
Buni, according to a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Mai Sule further said the government will not only sustain the initiative but formulate more policies that will help in making the youths more productive in the society.
He noted “The training workshop is part of a series of empowerment programmes being implemented by the present administration through the ministry in order to equip citizens with skills in various vocations as a means of creating employment and self-reliance among the people.
“Government financed various skills acquisition programmes ranging from paint-making, GSM repairs and the distribution of agricultural equipment to the people in an effort to reduce poverty and create job opportunities in the state.”
Buni used the forum and called on the private sector to take the advantage of skilled workers in the state by investing in small scale and medium enterprises for the benefit of the people of the state.
The governor who charged the beneficiaries of the starter kits to avoid selling it and use it for the purpose intended equally commended the ministry for commitment in identifying genuine beneficiaries of the training at the grassroots.
The commissioner of the ministry, Hon Aji Yerima Bularafa, described the administration of governor Mai Mala Buni as a government with personal commitments and passion for skills acquisition as well as empowerment programmes.
Bularafa said the governor has prioritized youth and women empowerment with a view to help them nurture and realize their talent across all levels.
Also the state chairman Shoemakers Association, Mallan Ibrahim Damaturu commended governor Buni as well as the Ministry of Wealth Creation for training across the state youths on shoemaking.
