IITA trains 395 Adamawa, Borno youths in skills acquisition

Story from Usman IBRAHIM, Yola

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with support from the United State Agency International Development (USAID) has trained no fewer than 395 youths and women in Adamawa and Borno States in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Yola, Dr Prakash Silwal, Chief of Party Feed the Future Nigeria Integrated Agricultural Activity, advised the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge they acquired and practice a successful business.

He said over 45 of the graduands have their business registered already and assured them a grant to start up their business to be self-reliant and employers of labour.

Silwal appreciated the government of Adamawa and all stakeholders for their tireless support for the successful training of the beneficiaries in the state.

According to him, 395 beneficiaries, 195 in Adamawa and 200 in Borno State have undergone six months of intensive training and successfully graduated.

Mr James Iliya, Commissioner for entrepreneurship development in Adamawa stated that the youth is the strength of any society, if engaged they would contribute positively instead of becoming instruments of destruction.

He appreciated the IITA for their great gesture to Adamawa and pledged to support poverty alleviating projects in the state.

Kayode Faleti, Deputy Chief of Party stressed the importance of the training on youths and women as it would impact socioeconomic activities in their life and society in general. He appeals to other partners to contribute their own part to youth development.

Bassey Archibong, Market System and Livelihood Specialist, called on the beneficiaries to make proper use of all they have learned at the training to start up and develop their businesses.

Archbong said grants and materials would be available for the trainees to kick start their business.

Fatima Abubakar, a beneficiary who has undergone soap making, appreciated the IITA and the resource persons for the gesture and assured to put the skills into practice.

According to her, she is ready to become a resource person and train other people as well.

The beneficiaries were trained in tailoring, vulcanizing, GSM phone repair, generator, machine repair, soap making, knitting, screen printing, and barbing.

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