Kano gov to empower 1,130 graduates with skill acquisitions

Kano Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, in his efforts to ensure self-reliance, is set to empower 1,130 graduates who have emerged from six revived entrepreneurship training institutes in the state with various skill acquisitions.

The intervention is part of Governor Yusuf’s administration’s strategic blueprint to enhance human capital development and promote economic empowerment.

The Secretary to the Steering Committee for 26 Entrepreneurship Institutes, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement with small-scale business owners at Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano.

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According to him, “The beneficiaries equipped in various skills and soecialties include livestock; movie production and editing; informatics and data science; Fisheries and Poultry”.

Besides, the intervention equally includes rehabilitation of young promising youths who were rescued from illicit substance abuse, now being reintegrated into society.

He added that the state Governor graciously considered the revitalisation of the 26 entrepreneurship institutes established by Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration to reduce growing rate of unemployment.

Mohammad, who doubles as Special Adviser on Human Resources to the Governor, explained the commitment that led to the inauguration of a six-member committee with the mandate to ensure and oversee the reactivation and seamless takeoff of the institutes, which is yielding tremendous gains.

He, however, disclosed that; “Since the committee’s inauguration in July 2024, six institutes have successfully commenced training and graduated over 840 beneficiaries, many of whom have already been empowered with post-training packages.

“Among those now scheduled for empowerment are 140 graduates from the Livestock Institute, Bagauda, who will each receive a bull, animal feed, veterinary medicines, and a ₦100,000 startup grant.

“200 graduates from the Horticulture Institute, Bagauda, having completed intensive training in horticultural practices, will be empowered with packages that include water pumps, wheelbarrows, spraying machines, cutting tools, and ₦100,000 per person.

“The Driving Institute, Zaria Road, has trained 250 beneficiaries in operating both light and heavy-duty vehicles. Graduates will receive ₦200,000 each, a driving certificate, support for driver’s license processing, and a ₦15,000 monthly transport allowance.

“The Informatics Institute, Kura, trained another 250 beneficiaries in digital skills, including UI/UX design, mobile and PC repairs, and data science. Empowerment packages for these beneficiaries include laptops, repair toolkits, and ₦100,000 startup capital.

“At the Film Institute, Tiga, 90 beneficiaries have completed training in movie production and editing, and are also scheduled to receive empowerment support.”

The Fisheries Institute, Bagauda, has trained 200 participants in commercial fish production, hatchery management, and fish feed formulation. The empowerment packages include collapsible tanks, fish feed, veterinary medication, juvenile fish, and weighing scales,” Dr Muhammad emphasised.

According to Mohammad, the committee has concluded plans for immediate takeoff of five additional institutes with enrolment capacity of 1,600 youths. Those ready for operation are the Poultry Institute in Tukui, Makoda, which will admit 600 women for specialized training in poultry production and agribusiness.

He said also ready to admit participants, is Reformatory Institute in Kiru anchored to admit and train 200 beneficiaries in vocational and rehabilitative skills to promote reintegration and economic self-sufficiency.

“The Artisan irrigation technologies and water resource management.

“Additionally, the Journalism Institute and Sports Institute will each admit 200 beneficiaries, focusing on media and communication, and sports development, respectively,” Mohammad said.

It be recalled that the 26 entrepreneurship institutes were abandoned by the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Ganduje for 8 years, an ugly development that crippled the genuine intention of the centres and further degenerated youth unemployment in the state.