The First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Zainab Nasir Idris, has called on all eligible voters in the state to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of future elections.
She made the appeal during the graduation and empowerment ceremony for 2,000 trainees under a skills acquisition programme organised by the Kauran Gwandu Foundation in collaboration with the Nasara Foundation held in Birnin Kebbi.
Dr. Zainab Nasir Idris said the PVC remains the only means through which eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice and participate fully in the democratic process.
She also urged young people to shun violence, remain focused on their education, and embrace skills acquisition as a pathway to self-reliance and responsible leadership.
The First Lady said her foundation is committed to ensuring that more young people are taken off the streets through empowerment and economic opportunities.
Dr. Zainab Nasir Idris also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her Renewed Hope Initiative, describing it as a programme that continues to benefit Nigerians across the country.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items distributed to them by putting the skills they acquired into productive use and supporting others through training and mentorship.
The SSG said Governor Nasir Idris remains committed to implementing programmes that empower young people and improve their livelihoods across the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dutsinmari, said the empowerment programme is being implemented across all 21 local government areas of Kebbi State to reduce youth unemployment and promote self-employment.
One of the beneficiaries, Rabi’atu Muhammad Nata’ala, who received training in catering and was presented with catering equipment, thanked the Kauran Gwandu Foundation and the Nasara Foundation for the support and pledged to make good use of the items.
Items distributed to beneficiaries included sewing machines, gas cookers, makeup kits, tie-and-dye materials, and equipment for liquid soap production.
