The Emir of Gummi in Zamfara State, Justice Lawal Hassan (rtd) on Tuesday flagged off empowerment programme for 700 youths and women in Gummi Local Government Area.
The programme is to be run under the emir’s sponsored project, “Yateem Foundation” in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Speaking at the event, the emir said it is in two categories.
“We are disbursing financial support to beneficiaries of the Micro Small Scale Enterprises of the NDE.
“Under this programme, 200 youths and women small scale traders would be given N10,000 to support them to improve their businesses”, the emir said.
Hassan further said that, “we are flagging off the Orientation and Counseling Training for 500 beneficiaries of Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS) of the NDE”
“The 500 beneficiaries of this scheme would be trained in various vacational skills”, the emir explained.
He said the gesture is to complement governments efforts in providing employment opportunities and reduce unemployment and poverty among the people.
“For those among you that received financial support of N10,000 today, you should utilize the gesture given to you for the purpose it was provided for.
“While for the 500 beneficiaries to be trained under B-NOAS, you should participate in the training with all seriousness.
“You should participate actively in the training of various employment skills” he added.
He thanked the Director-General, NDE, Dr Nasiru Argungu for the partnership and support to the programme.
Earlier, the State NDE Coordinator, Malam Abdullahi Yakubu commended the emir for the partnership with the directorate in supporting unemployed youths in the state.
Yakubu said the NDE has several job creation schemes that youths can key into, saying we are encouraging youths to avail themselves of those opportunities by their participation in NDE programmes.
He said the NDE is open to collaboration with all well meaning Nigerians for the onerous task of job creation.
“I therefore wish to call for a buy-in willing partners in order to extend NDE programmes to all nook and crannies of our great nation”, the Coordinator said.
The State Commissioner of Justice, Alhaji Nura Zarumi commended the emir for the kind gesture to his people.
Zarumi urged other well meaning individuals in the state to emulate the emir in supporting the future of youths.
The Zamfara West Zonal Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Aishatu Maradun commended the emir for including women in his empowerment projects.
She appealed to women beneficiaries in the two programme to utilize the financial support given to them the way it will enhance their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the beneniciaries Hauwau Hamza and Yusuf Muhammad commended the emir of Gummi and NDE for the gesture and promised to pay attention to the training.
