Gov. Sani Bello distributes empowerment tools, startup packs to youths, women in Niger State
Gov. Sani Bello distributes empowerment tools, startup packs to youths, women in Niger State
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has flagged off the distribution of empowerment tools and startup packs to institutions, youths, and women in Niger State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Mary Noel-Berje, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State.
The event took place at the Government House in Minna.
Governor Sani Bello, who observed the need to empower youths and women in society, described women as good managers. He said that when a woman is empowered, it produces a multiplier effect on the family and society.
“We must do whatever we can to reduce the hardship of women. Women are good managers. If you invest in one woman, you are investing in over 100. No matter how little you support them, they make very good use of it,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged the large number of unemployed youths compared to the availability of jobs, adding that the way forward is to provide entrepreneurship skills to make them self-reliant.
According to him, “we have to think out of the box to support people to become entrepreneurs. That is the only way to reduce unemployment.”
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to become employers of labour.
He promised to provide more equipment to scale up the number of beneficiaries before his tenure expires.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Yusuf Suleiman, explained that the beneficiaries have gone through training on various skills and trades that would make them successful entrepreneurs.
While appreciating the support of the Governor, the Commissioner assured that the Ministry will ensure effective use of the items through continuous monitoring of the beneficiaries.
He said the Ministry will not relent in efforts towards creating decent jobs for youth and women in the state.
The Chairman of the Youth Council of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, Abdullahi Sheriff, applauded Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for his giant strides aimed at empowering the teeming youths in the state.
He said that when such programs are sustained, they would help in curbing insecurity and reducing poverty.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello thereafter made symbolic presentations of the items to some beneficiaries.
1,770 items were distributed. They include sewing machines, knitting machines, sets of toolboxes, pumping machines, filing machines, and small electrical generator sets.
The beneficiaries cut across technical and vocational colleges, schools for special education, Nigerian Correctional Centres, training institutions, associations, fashion centres, and their graduated trainees, among others.