Kano graduates 2,260 youths, disburses empowerment packages
Kola Oyelere Kano
The Kano State Government has graduated and empowered 2,260 youths trained in various entrepreneurship and vocational skills, as part of efforts to boost job creation and promote economic self-reliance across the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this while speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony held at the Government House, Kano.
He described the occasion as a new beginning for the beneficiaries and urged them to become productive contributors to the state’s economy.
A breakdown of the beneficiaries shows that the Informatics Institute produced 750 graduates trained in computer programming, phone repairs, CCTV installation, solar technology and digital processing.
The Horticultural Institute also graduated 750 beneficiaries equipped with skills in plantation development and landscaping, supporting urban renewal and green entrepreneurship.
Similarly, the Driving Institute trained 750 youths in professional driving, road safety and traffic regulations, aimed at improving employment prospects and enhancing road safety nationwide.
The Livestock Institute graduated 205 beneficiaries in its third cycle, bringing its total to 485 trainees skilled in modern livestock management, while the Fisheries Institute produced another batch of graduates focused on aquaculture and food security.
Governor Yusuf said the graduation was a reflection of his administration’s commitment to youth development, noting that the revival of 26 previously moribund entrepreneurship and vocational institutes across the state was aimed at improving the livelihoods of young men and women.
According to him, the beneficiaries underwent training in diverse areas, including driving, informatics, livestock management, fisheries, film and creative arts, poultry production and development journalism, among others.
He explained that the programme was designed to equip youths with practical and marketable skills capable of reducing unemployment and poverty in the state.
As part of the empowerment package, the governor announced the distribution of starter packs to enable the graduates to establish their businesses.
He added that each beneficiary would also receive a cash grant of ₦50,000, while graduates of the Driving Institute would receive ₦100,000 due to the capital-intensive nature of their trade.
Governor Yusuf further disclosed that his administration is targeting the training of 50,000 youths in various vocational skills to promote self-reliance and sustainable economic growth across the state.
Touching on education, the governor revealed that the state government had cleared over ₦1.9 billion in outstanding tuition fees owed to Cypros, which had previously prevented students from accessing their academic results.
He also announced automatic employment for Cypros graduates in medicine and engineering.
He urged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the empowerment packages to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano State.
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, development partners and families of the graduates.