* Announces Motorcycles for Best-Performing Male, Female Graduates
* KASEDA DG Pledges ₦100,000 Support for Each 250 Graduates
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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced a personal ₦50,000 grant for each of the 250 beneficiaries of the Andaje Building Your Future Skills and Empowerment Initiative, following the successful completion of their 30-day skills acquisition training in Malumfashi.
A statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammad chief press secretary to the Governor said Governor Radda announced the grant on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of the programme, which trained the beneficiaries in practical, income-generating skills, including aluminium fabrication, welding and fabrication, and GSM repairs.
The Governor also announced a motorcycle each for the best-performing male and female graduates, as additional rewards for outstanding performance and commitment during the training.
He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills acquired and the financial support provided to establish sustainable livelihoods, stressing that the essence of empowerment was to enable young people to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Governor Radda said the initiative was consistent with his administration’s Building Your Future Agenda, particularly its focus on human capital development, youth empowerment, skills acquisition and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities for citizens.
He commended the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, for facilitating the initiative and providing the necessary support for its implementation.
The Governor also appreciated the organisers, trainers, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme, while praying for sustained peace and security across Katsina State.
Earlier, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, said the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills that could provide them with opportunities for economic self-reliance.
He said the programme was conceived in line with the Governor’s Building Your Future Agenda, particularly its emphasis on human capital development, youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
Nasir said the initiative was also informed by his experience of similar empowerment interventions since his time as a lawmaker representing Malumfashi, noting that the programme was designed to extend opportunities to young people across different communities.
He disclosed that the beneficiaries recorded about 90 per cent attendance throughout the training, describing the level of participation as evidence of their commitment and determination to acquire the skills provided.
The Chief of Staff commended Governor Radda for personally attending the graduation ceremony and supporting the initiative, saying such leadership attention would further encourage young people to take advantage of skills acquisition opportunities.
He appealed to the Governor to consider extending support to some individuals who were not initially shortlisted but attended and completed the training, particularly through the provision of starter packs to enable them to put their newly acquired skills into practice.
Nasir further announced plans to constitute a monitoring committee to follow up on the beneficiaries, assess their progress and determine how effectively they were applying the skills acquired during the training.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Temchiz Nigeria Limited, Mr Auwalu Bala, said the 30-day programme had trained 250 young men and women in practical, income-generating trades.
Bala said the selected trades, including aluminium fabrication, welding and fabrication, and GSM repairs, were chosen because of their potential to provide immediate income opportunities and promote self-reliance.
He said the beneficiaries would also receive starter packs to support the commencement of their businesses, urging government agencies, private businesses, contractors, community leaders and other stakeholders to patronise the graduates and create opportunities for them to practise and grow their businesses.
According to him, skills development was not only an economic empowerment intervention but also a tool for peacebuilding and social stability, as it gives young people productive opportunities and reduces their vulnerability to idleness, frustration and other social vices.
Bala described the programme as Phase One, expressing the organisers’ determination to expand the Andaje initiative to all 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina State and reach more young people with practical skills and start-up support.
He commended Governor Radda for his commitment to human capital development and acknowledged Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir for his vision and support towards the success of the programme.
On his part, the Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma, said the agency remained committed to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the state.
Dr Ruma urged the graduates to take advantage of available government interventions and business opportunities to establish and expand their enterprises.
He announced a ₦100,000 support grant for each of the 250 graduating beneficiaries, saying the additional assistance was intended to help them commence or strengthen their businesses after completing the training.
The District Head of Malumfashi, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi Mahuta, commended Governor Radda for what he described as his foresight and commitment to grassroots development.
Justice Mahuta said he monitored the training process and was satisfied with the manner in which it was conducted, noting that many of the beneficiaries were selected based on merit.
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He urged the graduates to make productive use of the skills, financial assistance and other opportunities provided to them and become productive members of their communities.
The event was attended by the Member representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu; Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Executive Director of Agricultural Services, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), and Chairman of the Board of Amana Microfinance Bank, Alhaji Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi; Alhaji Aminu SDY; Alhaji Mansir Sarkin Arewa; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; neighbouring Local Government Council Chairmen; traditional and religious leaders; community representatives and other stakeholders.
