October 27, 2017
The Wife of Niger State Governor, Dr Amina Bello, has called on youths to equip themselves with skills that would enable them contribute their quota to national development.
Bello made the call on Friday in Minna at the graduation of 200 youths trained in different skills by Millennium Africa Global Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
According to her, acquisition of skills has become necessary as it is the only way forward in the quest for economic prosperity in this country.
“The importance of learning one skill or the other in today’s world cannot be over-emphasised.
“You must pick up a skill or trade to help grow our economy rather than waiting for white collar jobs that are non-existent.
“The days of waiting for white collar jobs are far gone as the future now belongs to people who are skilled,’’ she said.
She urged the beneficiaries to put the skills learnt into use or risk losing them over time.
The wife of the governor advised youths to shun vices that were inimical to their growth as potential future leaders.
The Co-ordinator of initiative, Mr Marshal Okoro, said that the beneficiaries were trained in tailoring, interior decoration, video coverage, website design and photography, among others.
Okoro said that equipping youths with skills would go a long way in addressing the problem of widespread unemployment.
“This training is part of our corporate social responsibility to the people of Niger State.
“We believe skills acquisition plays a key role in tackling the problem of unemployment in the country.
“It is our hope that these ones we have trained will set up their small businesses and become employers of labour,’’ he said.
He commended Niger State Government for creating enabling environment for the youths to realise their potential.
