Minister warns trainees against selling starter packs, as FG empowers 393 in Northeast
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has cautioned the 393 youths trained by the Federal Government against selling their starter packs.
Umar-Farouk gave the warning in Gombe during the presentation of certificates and starter packs to the trainees.
She said the empowerment was done to ensure that the less-privileged and the unemployed youths were supported to be self-reliant, hence selling the starter packs would defeat that aim.
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“This is a golden opportunity for you; out of the several thousands of youths that applied for this programme in the six states only 393 of you were selected.
“So I am advising you please do not sell these starter packs; use them for your good and that of your family and community.
“In the next one year, we would love to see you doing your business and training others.”
She said the youths were selected from the six states of the Northeast states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Represented by Mr Ali Garba, Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Statistics from the Ministry, Umar-Farouq said the youths were trained for six weeks on three trades of auto mechanics, tailoring and embroidery and baking and catering.
She said the trainees would be assigned to professionals in the three trades for a period of six months to further their training.
“We will pay them N10, 000 each on monthly basis to make learning of the skills easy for them within the period.”
According to the minister, the move by the Federal Government is to fight poverty and reduce unemployment amongst youths.
She added that in view of that, most of the youths selected for the empowerment programme under the N-Skills of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) were under-privileged and out-of-school youths.
On his part, Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State commended the Federal Government and the Humanitarian ministry for training and empowering youths to tackle unemployment in the country.
Represented by the Gombe State’s Focal Person for NSIP, Habu Shinga, Yahaya said the effort by the Federal Government had helped in creating jobs in the state while also boosting enrolment in schools.
Rosemary Bisi, a physically-challenged 22-year-old trainee from Adamawa State commended the Federal Government for the initiative, adding that she would seize the opportunity to support herself.
Bisi, who broke down in tears while speaking to newsmen said “I will grab this opportunity to be self-sufficient so I won’t need to depend on anyone for anything.”
