Yobe state Government has organised six-week training on paint production for 680 youths who are drawn from 17 local government area of the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the youths were empowered with set-up packages for a Small-Scale Production of Text-Coat and Emulsion Paint in the state.
Speaking while distributing the item to the youths on Monday in Damaturu, Governor Mai Mala Buni appealed to the trainees to make good use of the set-up packages given to them in the form of raw materials, equipment and accessories.
According to him, the training is in sync with his administration’s policy to provide skills and training to Yobe youths so that they could support themselves and their families.
“Our administration recognises the fact that our youths are the building blocks of the brighter future that we desire, and so we must strive to spare no effort to prepare them for a life of responsibility and service, one in which they are gainfully self-employed and self-reliant.
“I know that the distinguished resource persons and trainers who have been with these youths over the last six weeks have made remarkable impact on the trainees by imparting the skill of paint making.
“It is my expectation that, going forward, the beneficiaries will establish their own small-scale businesses and even become employers of labour in the years to come,” he said.
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“Please do not sell them off. You need them to achieve the desired objectives for which the training was organized.
“This is one of the most effective ways in which the necessary avenues creating for small scale enterprises and start-ups in the state will be achieved,” the governor stated.
He further emphasised that a monitoring mechanism would be put in place to assess performance of the beneficiaries, adding that the state government would reward the group or groups of trainees that excelled in managing the support given them.
He further assured the youths in the state that other training programmes for job and wealth creation will be organized periodically to enable them to learn and become self-reliant.
“Similarly, as part of our administration’s resolve to explore avenues of economic empowerment for the people, I have approved the establishment of a jobs portal that will harmonise and unite our effort at providing job opportunities for our youths and our people generally.
“I wish to urge the Local Government Councils to continue to explore other avenues of job creation to complement the efforts of the State Government for the attainment our goals.
“Our administration will also take the necessary steps to collaborate with relevant agencies and development partners including the National Directorate of Employment, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Programme, Bank of Industries, among others to achieve the overall socio-economic development objectives of our State.
“We will also resuscitate and equip all the Basic Engineering Science and Technical Centres in the State to continue with the good work they have been doing in the area of skill acquisition for gainful self-employment,” he assured.
