National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) at the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara state, distributed startup kits to 689 graduates under its Youth Transformation Programme (YTP).
Speaking at the event, the commission’s managing director, Mallam Abubakar Yelwa, said that the 689 youth benefitted from a skills acquisition training programme that lasted between three and six months.
The managing director said that the 689 graduates from the state were trained in 32 vocational areas.
“The vocational areas include fashion design and tailoring, fish farming, poultry farming, catering and culinary services, computer, and software maintenance, solar installation and inverter technology, electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing and borehole services, metal and aluminium fabrication.
“The graduates had committed themselves, their parents and traditional institutions not to sell the items being handed over to them today.
“This initiative comes at a crucial time in the history of this country, as Nigeria undergoes significant economic and structural reforms under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are witnessing both the challenges and opportunities that come with such a transition. These changes may initially result in economic hardship, but we are looking forward to a more prosperous and sustainable future.
“Our commission recognises this and it is committed to play its part by equipping our youth with tools and skills they need to strive in this evolving economic landscape,” he said.
Also speaking, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, called on government agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to come up with youth empowerment programmes across the country.
This according to the SGF would go a long way in “complementing government efforts of addressing unemployment and youth restiveness, thereby, nipping in the bud the attendant vices that come along with this.”
Represented by a director in his office, Simeon Negbu, Senator Akume added that, “well-meaning Nigerians should borrow a leaf from N-HYPPADEC’s patriotic gesture and endeavour.
“Government on its part, will not leave any stone unturned towards ensuring that the commission receives all the support and cooperation it deserves toward delivering on its interventionist mandate for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the SGF said.
In a remark, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state said the programme would empower them to become self-reliant and contribute to the socio-economic growth of our state.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Mamman Jibril, the governor said that, “this programme, coordinated by N-HYPPADEC, is a tremendous relief for Kwara state, as it reduces youth unemployment and associated costs.
“N-HYPPADEC is also executing similar programmes in several communities across the six member states: Niger, Kogi, Kebbi, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara.
“We are sincerely grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its increased commitment to empowering our youth through initiatives like N-HYPPADEC.
“We are excited that the trainees have graduated and are poised to become employers of labour, with startup kits provided in their respective areas of specialisation.
“To the graduates, I offer this advice: Please make the best use of the startup kits provided. Use them responsibly to create wealth, become self-reliant, and, ultimately, employ others through your hard work and dedication.
“Your success will not only benefit you but will also increase the chances of other youth from Kwara state being selected for future programmes.”
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