The Kano State Directorate for Youth and Economic Empowerment, in collaboration with 7UP Bottling Company, on Tuesday, distributed empowerment package to 150 street vendors of soft drinks in the state.
DAILYNIGERIAN reports that items contained in a package that was presented to each vendor include 10 crates of soft drinks, one crate of water, umbrella, table and a cooler.
In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje disclosed that so far, the state government had provided empowerment to over 50,000 people, adding that there are more schemes on the way.
Represented at the event by his information commissioner, Muhammad Garba, the governor said he is committed to supporting youth in this state in order to earn a living.
“I just call on you to utilize this opportunity effectively,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director General of the directorate, Ado Tudunwada, said the state government had spent N2.5 million for the scheme in order to assist youth in the business to boost their market.
Mr Tudunwada explained that after intimating Governor Ganduje with the idea, the governor directed him to conduct a census to determine the number of soft drink vendors around the state metropolis in a bid to support them.
He added that “we went round all the roundabouts and streets around the metropolis and conducted the census.
“We collected the full information of the vendors, including their respective phone numbers for easy access.
“Now it has been actualized. As you can see, it is 150 youth in soft drinks business and it is not the end.
“This is just the beginning, as we will ensure all those youth selling soft drinks on the roads are assisted by this administration.
“You know, governor Ganduje has placed utmost priority to youth empowerment. Let me tell you that this the 20th edition of empowerment programmes since the beginning of this government,” he said
Mr Tudunwada then urged the beneficiaries to utilize the empowerment judiciously.
Speaking to DAILY NIGERIAN, one of the beneficiaries, Dahiru Zakiru, expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying “there is no government that ever supported us except this one.
“Therefore we will support it too in the 2019 elections. On behalf of my colleagues, I assure you that we will use this empowerment effectively.”
