Niger SDGs graduates 376 youths, distributes starter packs worth millions
Niger State Government has graduated 376 youths trained in Briquette making and Borehole repairs held in Kontagora Local Government Area of the State recently.
In his address, Director-General, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mohammed Yakubu Bashar Harka said the first goal of the SDGs was the fight against poverty, stressing that the event was a deliberate effort of the administration under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, to empower the youths to be self reliant.
He underscored the importance of skills and youth empowerment, stressing that the training exercise encapsulated four, out of the 17 global goals of the SDGs including zero poverty, clean water and sanitation, zero hunger and climate action as well as partnership for the goals.
“We are very mindful of the fact that youths are the backbone of any society and they must be empowered in productive activities. That is why we are grateful to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for giving us the support and resources to carry out this project,” DG said.
Harka further disclosed that the SDGs was working assiduously to hold a training programme for over 500 women in soap making, spaghetti production and vaseline.
The Director-General urged the beneficiaries not to dispose the items emphasising that they must make judicious use of the starter-packs presented to them in order to create wealth that would be beneficial not only to them but the society as a whole.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Kontagora Local Government Council, represented by Hon. Shehu Musa Kwazo, commended the leadership of the SDGs for the initiative.
He assured the SDGs of the Council’s unflinching support.
Earlier, the DG flagged off repairs and maintenance of 174 handpump boreholes in the Niger North Senatorial District (Zone C).
President of the Amalgamation of SDGs Borehole Maintenance (ASBM), Comrade Ahmed Sarki Chukuba, appreciated the State Government for providing enabling environment for the training and graduation exercise.
He explained that the only way to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor was to embark on borehole repairs and maintenance across the 87 wards in Zone C as a way of supporting the Governor’s Niger North Senatorial ambition.
The beneficiaries who were drawn from the 87 wards of the Zone, were grouped in clusters and presented with starter packs including Briquette Production machines and Borehole Repair kits.
Abubakar Adamu Kuta
Information Desk Officer,
SDGs,
Niger State.
