Sokoto Govt Trains, Empowers 300 Women, Youths in Tailoring

The Sokoto State Government has empowered 300 women and youths trained in tailoring as part of efforts to equip residents with vocational skills and create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

The beneficiaries graduated from the tailoring training programme and each received a sewing machine, N50,000 cash support and a certificate to enable them to start or strengthen their businesses.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, said the initiative was part of the administration’s commitment to empowering women and young people with practical skills and productive means of livelihood.

She described youth and women empowerment as a major priority of the administration, stressing that vocational training could help reduce unemployment, discourage idleness and promote economic independence.

According to her, thousands of women and youths have benefited from various empowerment programmes implemented through ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.

She said the establishment of the Ministry for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship was another step towards strengthening vocational education, entrepreneurship and self-reliance among residents.

Fatima also highlighted the Ahmad Aliyu Initiative, which she said provides support to small and medium-scale businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and other livelihood activities.

She urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the equipment and financial assistance provided to them.

“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 said.

The governor’s wife commended the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Department of Community Development for implementing the programme, assuring that more opportunities for skills acquisition would be created for women and youths across the state.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare, said the ministry had implemented several vocational training programmes over the past three years.

He said the programmes had equipped youths with skills in areas including tailoring, welding, vulcanising, soap making, knitting and jewellery production.

Adare explained that the interventions were designed to help beneficiaries establish sustainable sources of income, support their families and contribute to the socio-economic development of Sokoto State.

He added that the initiative was in line with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda, particularly its focus 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 specifically trained to acquire practical skills that could enable them to become self-reliant.

Kebbe disclosed that the graduation represented the sixth batch of the programme, bringing the total number of young men and women trained under the Department of Community Development to 1,750.

He said beneficiaries had been trained in various trades, including tailoring, welding, tea making, perfumery, jewellery and crown making for women, as well as vulcanising, plumbing and electrical works for men.

According to him, the programme was aimed at equipping young people with legitimate means of earning income, supporting their families and reducing idleness and other undesirable activities.

He urged the graduands to utilise the skills and support provided by the government to establish viable businesses and contribute to the development of their communities.