Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The first batch of 1,000 beneficiaries of the women and youths empowerment programme in Bauchi State organised by the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari under her pet project, ‘Future Assured’ have rounded up their training.
THISDAY checks revealed that the programme was facilitated by the Bauchi State Commission for Youths and Women Rehabilitation and Development in Bauchi and the graduands numbering 1,000 were randomly selected from different women and youth groups from the state’s three local government areas of Katagum, Ningi and Toro local governments and trained based on their choice of vocation.
The women beneficiaries were taught fashion design, interior decoration, event management, catering and leatherwork. Others were trained to produce cosmetics and household cleaning products, while the youths were taught carpentry work, phone and computers repairs, and furniture repairs.
The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari who spoke at the closing ceremony of the skill acquisition programme at the multipurpose indoor sports hall in Bauchi, said since the inception of the APC administration in the nation, not less than 10,000 youths and women have benefited from the skill acquisition training programme under her pet project, ‘Future Assured’ and have become owners of businesses and entrepreneurs.
She said the federal government has approved the sum of N500 billion for social Safety Network initiated by the president for the poor and less privileged persons in the country.
The wife of the president said turnout of women and youths for the skill acquisition programme in the state has portrayed their interest in income generation which at the long run, the economy of the nation will benefit from the scheme, adding that each beneficiary will get a starter pack.
According to her, “I want to urge the beneficiaries of this laudable skill acquisition programme to make use of the skills, become employers of labour and solve your immediate financial challenge.
“Before I got married, I had only a secondary school certificate, so I am encouraging women to acquire education on time in order not to miss out on laudable interventions by the government. This administration will continue to champion the cause of women and children in the areas of education, health, entrepreneurship, particularly those in disadvantaged positions,” she said
Earlier, the Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar commended the wife of the president for the women and youths empowerment programme in the state, saying that her labour and sacrifice for Bauchi state has yielded tremendous success and reward, adding that his administration will continue to complement the laudable initiatives of the wife of the president by implementing and giving adequate support to improve the lots of women and children in Bauchi state.
He said BACYWORD, ministry of women affairs and child development, as well as the ministry of social welfare, youths and sports were saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the empowerment programme in the state which include a wide range of economic and self enhancing skills.
Highlights of the occasion included Mrs. Buhari’s presentation of certificates to the 1,000 women and youths graduates of her skill acquisition programme in Bauchi State.
