1 day Ago By Gbenga Odogun
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Development Commission has distributed start-up kits worth millions of naira to 705 youths trained in various vocations in Kogi State. The move is aimed at scaling up the livelihoods and self-sufficiency of youths within its catchment area. During the well-attended ceremony held inside the main bowl of the Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, disclosed that the beneficiaries were selected from communities within the jurisdiction of the commission.
He explained that the beneficiaries were from the communities that often bear the brunt of hydroelectric power generation that have negatively affected the ecosystem of the areas. Yelwa stated, “A total of 705 young men and girls were trained from 2022-2023 in the fields of computer appreciation and application, poultry farming, beads making, fashion designs and tailoring, cosmetology, fisheries, among others. Almost included in the pack are confectionery and culinary services.
Arewa PUNCH further reports that among the trained artisans who also benefitted from the multimillion naira start-up kits were those who trained in the art of shoemaking, hairdressing, and graphic designs were among beneficiaries that would be equipped with wherewithal to be self-reliant and independent”. The MD hinted that aside from the distribution of starter kits that will enable them to practice their trades, the commission has equally registered their business names with the Corporate Affairs Commission to give legal teeth to their businesses. He said the training of these youths was a response to the prevailing economic realities that have affected their communities through flooding and other natural disasters across the jurisdiction.
Related News Kogi court grants three illegal tax collectors bail Gunmen kidnap journalist’s relatives, demand N50m ransom Exam malpractices: WAEC deregisters 13 Kogi schools, blacklists 14 supervisors Yelwa added that the commission plans to advance the training to include those with Higher National Diploma and Degrees who are unemployed to acquire skills that will, in addition to their certificates, create opportunities for self-reliance and economic empowerment. He urged the beneficiaries to realise that the start-up kits distributed to the trained beneficiaries were not just tools but the key to their economic recovery, which they are expected to contribute to the economic revival of the country. He warned them against misuse of the kits even as he prevailed on them to be meticulous and diligent in the application of the materials in such a manner that adds value to them and to those requiring their services.
Yelwa stressed, “We have a monitoring team who would work in synergy with traditional institutions to monitor and track the progress and growth of their businesses.” He commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for his invaluable support for the commission, which has ensured the success of the programme. While thanking Governor Ododo for creating the environment that enabled the commission to achieve its mandate, the N-HYPPADEC boss assured us that the support would not be taken for granted.
In a remark, Ododo hailed the commission for its laudable programmes designed to take a large chunk of idle youths off the streets and assured of robust relationships to achieve higher goals for the youths in the state. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Joel Salifu Oyibo, advised the beneficiaries to leverage on the opportunity so as to be self reliant and grow their businesses and to serve as trainers for the younger generation. Earlier, the SGF, George Akume, disclosed that the government accented to the Commission’s bill in 2014 because of its potential for the upliftment of youths, especially those affected by Hydroelectric power activities in riverine areas of the North Central zone.
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