Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has reassured his administration’s commitment to investing in policies and programmes that promote economic empowerment, skills development and entrepreneurship among youths.
Sule stated this on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of 50 youths who graduated from the pilot Masters of Business in the Streets Youth Empowerment Programme, a collaborative effort between the State Government and Interweave Solutions International, USA.
The governor represented by Hon Kwanta Yakubu, Commissioner of Youth and Sports development, reemphasised his administration resolve to empower citizens through skills acquisition programmes, explaining that the training was aimed at equipping youths with essential skills and knowledge to break the cycle of poverty and foster economic empowerment.
” Today, we are glad to say our joint effort is not only a worthwhile venture but also, a rewarding shared commitment to helping in shaping our citizens towards adapting to the changing world.
“The uniqueness of this programme is in the pioneering engagement for a partnership in the design and implementation, of Youth Empowerment programme that is tailor- made for result and sustainability that fits into the broader newly branded ‘Sule Economic Empowerment Development Scheme, SEEDS, as a One-Stop-Shop for all Nasarawa State Youth Empowerment Programme of our administration coordinated by a newly created unit in the Ministry manned by a highly technical team with vast knowledge of social and economic empowerment intervention programmes,” Sule said.
The governor noted that to scale up the programme, the State Government has committed N500 million, which will benefit an additional 3,450 youths across the state, aimed at empowering youths and promoting economic development.
He, therefore expressed delight with Interweave Solutions International in its partnership while urging the graduates to apply the knowledge gained at the training to drive positive change in their communities and state.
On her part, the representative of Interweave Solutions International and facilitator at the training, Mrs Louise Gyunka, said the youths have acquired skills and knowledge necessary to become self-reliant and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
Mrs Gyunka emphasised the importance of discipline and self-reliance, encouraging participants to develop business ideas that address the unique challenges facing their communities.
She noted that the aim was to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among youths, with a focus on adding value to the state’s economy.
According to her, the beneficiaries have been group into five cooperatives, each consisting of 10 members, namely;
Nasarawa Progressive Minds Cooperative, Success Cooperative, Dadinkowa Cooperative, Maikudi Cooperative and Akwanga Cooperative.
She also stated that the cooperatives have been tasked with promoting unity and positively impacting their community members.
Odu Zubairu, head of Nasarawa Progressive Minds Cooperative, said the training has equipped them on how to become self-reliance, stating that individuals can achieve this by identifying community needs and developing solutions to ensure sufficiency.
Zubairu expressed gratitude to the State Government and the training firm for their collaborative efforts in providing training and grant opportunities to kickstart businesses.
“This initiative promotes economic empowerment and reduces dependence on government support,” he said.
The Voice reports that the Nasarawa Progressive Minds Cooperative is one of five cooperatives formed, with others including Success Cooperative, Dadinkowa Cooperative, Maikudi Cooperative, Akwanga Cooperative, towards empowering youths and promoting economic development through various initiatives.
