Yobe empowers 85 shoemakers with machines, other tools to boost employment
By Tada Jutha, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has empowered 85 shoemakers with sewing machines and other working tools to boost job creation and livelihoods in the state.
According to him, the over a decade of Boko Haram terrorism has destroyed the means of livelihoods of people in the six local government areas.
Buni, represented by his Deputy, Idi Gubana, at the distribution of shoe-making machines yesterday (Thursday), at the Arts and Cultural Centre, Damaturu disclosed: “Today’s event was to empower the 85 trained shoemakers with modern working tools to create more jobs in the local shoe industry,” adding that the state has a comparative advantage in shoe-making, with the abundant supply of skin and hides.
Besides the empowerment of youths, he added that the distributed sewing machines could also revive the dormant shoe-making centres at Potiskum, Gashua, and Geidam, a border community with Niger.
“The empowerment initiative commences today to kickstart your shoemaking business to improve livelihoods in communities,” he said, noting that the shoemakers were resilient during the 15-year insurgency that destroyed their means of livelihoods.
While reiterating the government’s commitments to job creation, the Commissioner of Wealth Creation, Empowerment, and Employment Generation (WCEG), Hon. Aji Yerima Bularafa, said the distributed machines and tools will promote self-reliance and the engagement of other youths to eradicate poverty and unemployment.
He added that the Buni administration program on job creation was to stimulate economic growth and development of the state in the long run.
Bularafa continued, “This ministry has been getting support from the government, and it has been a source of encouragement towards discharging our statutory mandates and functions.
“Most importantly, we are highly honoured by the commitment of His Excellency towards the progress and development of the Ministry.
“We shall continue to provide the necessary leadership in coordinating and implementing the ministry’s activities.”
He noted that government support will ensure optimal performance and improve service delivery to the people, particularly the vulnerable populations in the insurgency-affected local councils.
