A non-governmental organisation, Plan International Nigeria, in collaboration with Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF), has trained 293 youths on various skills acquisition as well as cash grants to the trainees after graduation in Borno and Adamawa States respectively.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the trainees on Thursday In Maiduguri, Emmanuel Nuhu, the Head of Humanitarian programme, Plan International lamented the alarming rate of youth unemployment in the country, particularly in Northeast which he attributed to over a decade of conflict
Nuhu noted that as at 2020, the national youth unemployment rate stood at 33.3 percent, with higher figures recorded in conflict-affected states such as Borno and Adamawa.
According to him, to tackle this challenge, Plan International established four Livelihood Incubation Centres across Damboa and Mafa LGAs in Borno, and Girei and Fufore LGAs in Adamawa respectively.
He added that the initiative themed “Seeds of Change,” is targeted at building resilience, promote gender inclusion, and enhance self-reliance among vulnerable youth through skills development, entrepreneurship training, and agricultural innovation.
“We are excited to celebrate 132 young graduates in Borno today who have successfully completed our skills acquisition program under the BMZ project.
“Over a six-month training cycle, participants received technical and life-skills education, business coaching, and monthly stipends of ₦30,000 for transportation within the period of the training.
“Upon graduation, each beneficiary received ₦100,000 in seed capital to launch microenterprises in agriculture and related sectors. These young people are now equipped not only to earn a living but also to train others in their communities,” Nuhu said.
Some of the beneficiaries who undergo six months training on various skills acquistion expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the donor’s and Plan International.
John Michael, a 19-year-old participant from Simari community in Mafa LGA, shared how the training transformed his life.
“Before Plan International came, I had no skills or direction. Now I’ve learned how to manage a business, engage with my community, and I’m successfully running a poultry farm,” he said.
Also speaking, Abubakar Ahmed Sadiq from Kaleri community expressed gratitude for the financial and technical support received.
“They not only taught us business management but also gave us capital to start our cosmetic businesses. We now understand how to sustain what we’ve built,” Sadiq explained.
Meanwhile, Amma Mala, another graduate from Tsinimari community in Jere LGA, recounted her renewed success in agriculture after previous failed attempts.
“I used to think poultry farming was impossible for me, but the training changed everything. Now, my birds are healthy and my business is growing. I am confident in sustaining it,” she said.
The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supported by Plan International Nigeria and jointly implemented the Livelihood Incubation Centres (LICs) under the Youth Learn, Earn and Prosper in the Lake Chad Region project.
