The Sokoto State Government has graduated 300 women and youths trained in tailoring as part of its efforts to equip residents with practical skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods.
Each of the beneficiaries received a tailoring machine, N50,000 cash and a certificate at the graduation ceremony to support them in putting their newly acquired skills into practice.
Speaking at the ceremony, the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, said the programme was part of the administration’s broader efforts to empower women and youths with vocational skills and productive means of livelihood.
She said the administration considered youth and women empowerment a key priority, noting that providing practical skills was essential to tackling unemployment, reducing idleness and creating opportunities for economic independence.
According to her, the government has trained thousands of women and youths through various ministries, departments and agencies, while the establishment of the Ministry for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship was aimed at further strengthening vocational training and entrepreneurship development in the state.
Dr Fatima also highlighted the Ahmad Aliyu Initiative, which she said supports small and medium-scale businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and other livelihood activities.
She urged the graduands to make judicious use of the machines and cash provided to them, stressing that the training should serve as a foundation for building sustainable businesses.
“Take your business seriously, stay committed and use the skills you have acquired to become financially independent and, eventually, create employment opportunities for others,” she told the beneficiaries.
She commended the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Department of Community Development for implementing the programme, and assured that the government would continue to expand skills acquisition opportunities for women and youths across the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare, said the ministry had, in the last three years, implemented various vocational training programmes aimed at equipping youths with skills in tailoring, welding, vulcanising, soap making, knitting and jewellery production.
He said the interventions were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sources of livelihood, support their families and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.
Adare said the initiative was consistent with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda, which, he noted, places emphasis on improving the welfare and economic wellbeing of residents.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Community Development, Garba Maitumbi Kebbe, said the 300 beneficiaries were trained specifically to acquire skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and establish sustainable livelihoods.
Kebbe said the graduation marked the sixth batch of the programme and disclosed that 1,750 young men and women had so far been trained in various vocational skills under the Department of Community Development.
He listed the trades to include tailoring, welding, tea making, perfumery, jewellery and crown making for women, as well as vulcanising, plumbing and electrical work for men.
He said the objective was to provide young people with practical skills that would enable them to earn legitimate incomes, support their families and avoid idleness and other undesirable activities.