Kano State has hosted the 52nd Annual National Conference and Workshop of the Home Economics Teachers Association of Nigeria, HETAN, with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf calling for the repositioning of Home Economics education as a strategic instrument for innovation, entrepreneurship, employment creation and sustainable development.
The Governor, who was unavoidably absent, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruk Ibrahim, who delivered his address to delegates drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
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The conference, themed “Repositioning Home Economics Education for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” brought together educators, policymakers, professional practitioners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the discipline and its contribution to national development.
Yusuf described the theme as timely and consistent with Nigeria’s aspiration to build a skilled, self-reliant and economically empowered population. He said Home Economics has evolved beyond traditional household management into a broad field encompassing food and nutrition, fashion, textiles, hospitality, family resource management and entrepreneurship.
He urged stakeholders to reposition the discipline from being viewed merely as an academic subject to becoming a practical platform for skills development, innovation, enterprise and wealth creation.
“Graduates should be equipped not only to seek employment but also to create employment,” he said.
The governor called for the integration of digital technology, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and modern production techniques into Home Economics education. He noted that technical skills must be complemented with entrepreneurship, branding, financial management, digital marketing and access to markets.
He also urged HETAN to strengthen collaboration among educational institutions, industries, financial institutions, government agencies and development partners to provide modern equipment, practical training, mentorship, internships and opportunities for young people to turn their skills into viable enterprises.
On sustainability, Yusuf said Home Economics could provide practical solutions to challenges such as food waste, environmental degradation, rising household costs and climate change through responsible consumption, recycling, energy conservation, sustainable food practices and environmentally friendly production.
He further called for collective action against the growing menace of drug addiction among young people, warning that the scourge poses a serious threat to the nation’s future and must be confronted through coordinated strategies involving government, families, schools and society.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote skills acquisition, employability, entrepreneurship and innovation. He noted that Kano’s traditions of commerce, craftsmanship, textile production, tailoring and food processing provide a strong foundation for linking education with modern enterprise and technology.
He charged the conference to go beyond resolutions and develop practical strategies capable of producing measurable impact in schools, communities and the Nigerian economy
Earlier, the National President of HETAN, Onothoja Evelyn, commended the Kano State Government for providing an enabling environment for participants.
She said HETAN is more than an association dedicated to teaching Home Economics, stressing its growing relevance to hospitality, healthcare, fashion, food and beverages, entrepreneurship and the general wellbeing of society.
Evelyn said the conference theme and sub-themes were deliberately selected to address contemporary challenges, proffer solutions and contribute to policy formulation suited to Nigeria’s needs.
The conference also featured a welcome address by the Chairperson of HETAN, Kano Chapter, Halima Abubakar.
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Among dignitaries present were the Accountant General of Kano State, Jamila Magaji Abdullahi, who represented the First Lady of Kano State; the Permanent Secretary, Kano Educational Resource Department, KERD, Rabi Inuwa Hussain; and HETAN executives from the 36 states and the FCT.
The 52nd HETAN National Conference and Workshop is expected to strengthen professional collaboration and generate practical ideas for repositioning Home Economics education as a catalyst for skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation, improved livelihoods and sustainable nation .