Bago begins 100,000 youth empowerment in Niger

Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, has announced the training of 100,000 youth with various Agricultural and vocational skills.

Bago disclosed this at the distribution of start-up kits to the over 5,000 graduates of Youth Transformation Programme of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.

“He stated that nations that have grown, paid more attention to skills, adding that many development partners have expressed willingness to partner with the State in training the youth on different skills.

“The Governor appreciated the N-HYPPADEC for the initiative, describing it as a wonderful Corporate Social Responsibility.

“He also thanked the N-HYPPADEC for collaborating with the State Government in relocating communities threatened by flood and provision of potable drinking water to many communities in the State”.

To the graduates, the farmer Governor commended their resilience and perseverance throughout the period of training, adding that great people are not made easy but from a solid rock.

He then enjoined them not to sell the start-up kits but used them judiciously while calling on them to stay away from drugs and crimes and be the best in life.

The farmer Governor also advised those what acquired skills in Agriculture area should collaborate with established farms for better outcomes in their endeavours.

The Managing Director N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, who described the event as historic, said the idea of training youth under the Youth Transformation programme of the Commission is a job creation initiative conceived to address youth unemployment in all the member States.

He said over 5,000 youth were trained across 6 States with over 1,500 youth from Niger State, 505 in Benue, 1,011 in Kebbi, 705 in Kogi, 814 in Kwara and 365 in Plateau State adding that the training programme was between 3 and 6 months and that the skills they acquired have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The Managing Director revealed that the Commission is working for the second edition which he said would be upscaled to include the establishment of an entrepreneurship unit, for coordinating activities associated with entrepreneurship, empowerment, and job creation and to inculcate advanced skills’ acquisition training particularly for unemployed Degree and HND holders.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff Mr. Simon Tyungu commended N-HYPPADEC, describing the programme as a laudable one and that it will compliment the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in engaging the youth in meaningful ventures that will keep them off social vices.

The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Muhammad Sani Musa commended N -HYPPADEC and Farmer Governor Umaru Bago whom he described as a vibrant, youthful Governor who has defied all odds to show that he is capable of taking Niger State to another level due to his exemplary leadership style adding that the support he has given N-HYPPADEC is unprecedented.

While calling on youth to utilize what they will be given, the Senator disclosed that from 2025, N-HYPPADEC will be supported to carry out more programmes with most of the projects to be tied to zonal interventions and capital projects.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, who applauded the graduates for their patience to acquire the skills, saying it will go a long way in benefitting them positively.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa, Commissioner for Youth Development, Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin Boka and the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, Abdullahi Ishaq, all commended the foresight of the N-HYPPADEC and the support from Farmer Governor Umaru Bago to the youth and urged beneficiaries to use the starter packs for the purpose they are meant for.

The beneficiaries were trained in tailoring and fashion design, painting, photography, plumbing, floor tiling, block moulding, bricklaying, catering, hair barbing and styling, auto mechanic, engineering, poultry, and fisheries among others.

Bago, inspected the start-up kits to be distributed.