Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago presented N20 million cheque to 200 trainees of the New Niger Bread making, as their starter packs.
The cheque presentation was made at the graduation ceremony of the trainees held at the Gidan Matasa Conference Hall Minna.
The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Youth and Sports Development, Abdullahi Suleiman, said the initiative, which is unprecedented, will help in developing entrepreneurial skills among the youths
He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to youth development through skills empowerment and improved welfare.
The Governor called on youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools to truncate the relative peace in the State.
He also enjoined all and sundry to continue to pray fervently for his administration, as it continues to embark on people oriented projects for the realisation of the New Niger Agenda.
Commissioner for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs. Elizabeth Lami Shaba in her remarks, explained that all the 200 beneficiaries were drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas of the State, adding that they were picked at random.
She said they were trained in various bread making fields centred on skills, resources, and production of high quality nutritious bread of varying types.
The Commissioner further explained that the idea is for the beneficiaries to go back and step down the training to other youths in their local government areas.
She appreciated the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago and all those that have supported the New Niger Bread initiative.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Niger State Revenue Service, Muhammad Estu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy Abdulberqy Usman Ebbo as well as the Director General on Youth, Aminu Isah Danasabe applauded the initiative of the Governor and reiterated that such gesture will go a long way in addressing youth restiveness while calling on them to also broaden their horizon by embracing innovative approaches.
Some beneficiaries interviewed, were full of accolades to Governor Umaru Bago for bringing them out of joblessness even as they promised to make judicious use of the starter packs given to them.
Certificates were presented to all the 200 beneficiaries, while awards of excellence were also presented to individuals and other relevant stakeholders who played a contributory part in the success of the New Niger Bread production.
