The Sokoto State Government has trained more than 300 youths in vocational skills, including tailoring, welding, electrical and solar installation, and plumbing, as part of efforts to address unemployment and promote self-reliance.
The training was organised through the Office of the Special Adviser on Community Development under the state’s youth empowerment and skills acquisition programmes.
The Special Adviser, Mr. Garba Maitumbi Kebbe, disclosed this in Sokoto, saying the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills to establish small-scale businesses and earn sustainable livelihoods.
Kebbe said the beneficiaries were drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state and trained in batches based on their interests and the economic needs of their communities.
He said the latest phase focused on practical trades, including tailoring, welding, electrical installation, solar installation and plumbing.
“The objective is to provide our youths with skills that will make them self-reliant, enable them to support their families, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
“We believe that giving young people practical skills is one of the effective ways of reducing idleness and unemployment,” he said.
The special adviser said the Office of Community Development would continue to promote vocational training and other skills acquisition programmes, particularly among youths in rural communities.
He urged the beneficiaries to put their newly acquired skills into practice and explore opportunities to establish viable small-scale enterprises.
Kebbe said the impact of the programme would depend largely on the ability of the beneficiaries to translate their training into productive economic activities.
He added that the initiative formed part of the state government’s efforts to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents through skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
The special adviser said the government would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to expand access to vocational training and create more economic opportunities for young people across the state.
