Governor Sani Bello Restates Commitment To Women, Youth Empowerment

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has restated his commitment to prioritise the development of women and youth in the state through enterprenuership and skilled laboured.

The Governor stated this during the graduation ceremony of 200 beneficiaries in catering and the flag-off ceremony of the Lolo Mobile Barbing Scheme at the Government House in Minna, the state capital.

Sani Bello noted that the programme was timely considering the rising  cases of youth restiveness in the state capital.

He stated that concerted efforts have been made by state government to empower youths and women, which he said include partnerships and collaborations wit non-governmental and faith based organizations.

Governor Sani Bello also disclosed that the contract for the renovation of Abdulsalam Youth Centre and the completion of the fencing of the Social Welfare Area Office in Minna have been awarded as part of Government effort to empower women and youths in the State.

"We are therefore engaging in the activation of the digital economy programmes in the state to further help us key into a comprehensive integrated development plan that addresses key social, economic and political challenges," he said.

The Governor expressed optimism that the skills acquired by the beneficiaries would  enhance and boost their socio-economic status and impact positively on the state economy as well.

He then appealed to the benefiting participants to ensure that they become professionals and step down the skills for others to benefit from the programmes.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Sani Lafiya, noted that youths constitute the largest population and the most active as well as productive in the society hence, the need to engage them in skills acquisitions.

 He said that the programme will enable them develop a positive sense of self worth and self control.

Sani however, assured that the Ministry will continue to explore other intervention windows necessary for achieving the aspiration for the socio-economic progress and development of youths.

Also speaking, the Project Manager, Youth Empowerment, Umar Mohammed said the programme is a Digital Entrepreneurship Training where the beneficiaries would promote their businesses online, adding that it is the first of its kind in the country. 

The Project Manager further explained that 30 youths have been trained for the Lolo Mobile Barbing trainees as Master trainers and would be given rechargeable clippers with other barbing accessories to enable them start up their mobile business without necessarily having to rent a shop.

He said the Mobile Barbing Master trainers are expected to train many others across the three geopolitical zones. 

The sum of 20,000 naira was given to each of  the over 200 youths that acquired skills on catering and small chops.