***Gov Ododo applauds intervention
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has trained 705 Kogi Youths in 10 vocational skills and registered their business outfits with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa disclosed this at the Flag-off for the distribution of start-up kits to graduates of N-HYPPADEC Youth Transformation Programme (YTP) in Kogi State.
The MD described the Commission’s intervention culminating in the distribution of start up Katsina as a milestone in N-HYPPADEC’s commitment to youth empowerment
and economic development in the power producing areas of
Nigeria.
Yelwa with traditional titles of Katukan Yauri, Abeneche Atta Igala and Garkuwa of Igu-Kingdom of described the N-HYPPADEC”s distribution of starter packs to the Youth as representing dreams, ambitions and the potential for economic independence
Describing it as a concrete step toward securing the future of youth especially, in these challenging times, he said, “In Kogi State, we have successfully trained 705 youths across 10 vital vocational areas.
The distribution includes 187 graduates in Computer Appreciation and another 187 in Fashion Design and Tailoring.
We have equipped 94 youth with skills in Poultry Farming and 85 in Catering and Culinary Services. The programme has also produced 61 trained Fish Farmers and 44 specialists in Bag and Shoe Making.
“Additionally, 18 graduates have mastered Hair Dressing, while 12 are now experts in Beads Making. We have 11 graduates in Cosmetology and six in Printing and Graphical Design”, he said.
Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), described the intervention as a welcome development and a step in the right direction towards emancipation of youths from the shackles of poverty
Sen. Akume, represented by a Director from the Office of the SGF, Mr Simeon Tyungu, said the intervention programme in in the six N-HYPPADEC states of Niger, Kebbi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Kogi.
He said that the programme was setting the tone towards empowering our teeming youths towards self-reliance and financial independence and urged the beneficiaries take maximum advantage of the scheme,
In his speech, the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Chief Servant of commended N-HYPPADEC for the intervention and particularly for the stqrzer packs and registration of their businesses with the CAC.
He said that the intervention would not doubt, reduce unemployment, check crime rate among the youths and improve the economic growth of the state.
“As a government, we do not take this gesture for granted and we will implore the beneficiaries to make adequate use of these kits and equipment for personal growth and development.
“Let me assure you that the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to the enhancement of the living standard of the people of the state, particularly, the teaming youths.
“…And our women, through the favourable policies and programmes, we shall work round the clock to ensure that we serve the people rightly without any iota of fear or favour.”
A member of the N-HYPPADEC board representing Kogi State, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami charged the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the Commission to escape the strangleholds of poverty.
There were goodwill messages from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi chapter as well as the traditional rulers of the flood affected Local Governments represented by the Atta Igala HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche-Akpa. (Ends)