Power
THE National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has inaugurated the distribution of starter packs to 5,079 graduates of its Youth Transformation Programme (YTP).
Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, its Managing Director, announced this at the inauguration of the exercise in Minna on Saturday.
He said the programme, launched in 2022, aimed to empower youths in power-producing areas affected by floods and displacement.
Yelwa said that more than 5,000 youths across six states had benefited from various skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
He said that 1,500 youths had been trained in Niger, 500 in Benue, 1,011 in Kebbi, 650 in Kogi, 630 in Kwara and 320 in Plateau.
According to him, the youths were trained in vocational training, tailoring and fashion design, house painting, photography, plumbing, floor tiling, block moulding and bricklaying.
Other areas are catering, hair barbing, hair styling, auto-mechanic and auto electrical engineering.
Yelwa appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting the commission’s initiatives, particularly the 2023 Electricity Act which expanded its scope.
He said the commission planned to establish Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Unit to coordinate activities and incorporate advanced skills acquisition trainings for unemployed degree holders.
In his speech, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, commended N-HYPPADEC for its corporate social responsibility initiatives in the state.
He lauded the commission’s collaboration in relocating flood-threatened communities and providing portable water in New Bussa and Bida.
Bago urged beneficiaries to persevere and utilise the acquired skills to become self-reliant and cautioned them against selling their starter packs.
He urged them to collaborate with the Niger Foods or Bago Farm to boost food production and ensure food security in the state and the country at large.
“As a state government, we aim to equip 1,000 youths with skills and vocational training, partnering with organisations like the UNDP,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Mahmoud Muhammad, Director of Community and Rural Development, N-HYPPADEC, had said that YTP aimed to empower youths with skills.
He added that YTP also empowers youths in knowledge and confidence to lead productive lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
In his remarks, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, commended N-HYPPADEC for its Youth transformation programme, which has empowered over 5,000 graduates.
Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff, Simon Tyungu, said the initiative aimed to engage youths in useful ventures, taking them off the streets and complementing the administration’s efforts to address unemployment. (NAN)
A.I
Nov. 3, 2024
Tags: Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa Gov. Umaru Bago National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Sen. George Akume
