From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia
Conscious of the plight of indigent students across the state, the Nasarawa state government has embarked on the distribution of equipment to empower students who have acquired various skills to enable them to be self-reliant while they pursue their studies.
Distributing the skills acquisition materials, Malam Abdulkarim Muhammad Abdullahi, Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), said it has become necessary to empower skilled students to be self-reliant.
Items donated to the students include; two sewing machines, one motorised air pump for use in vulcanizing, tailoring gear among other cash donation.
The NSUBEB boss said the gesture marks the beginning of the student’s empowerment scheme in the state and it will cut across the thirteen local government areas of the state aimed at alleviating the suffering of the students, especially the less privileged.
“There are lots of students who acquired skills in computer, tailoring, car washing, carpentry among others while in school and the state government will provide materials to such students to make their lives better while in school and after school” Abdulkarim said.
He lamented the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the country saying people should not wait for white collar jobs.
He said there is every need for people to engage themselves in one thing or other to be self- reliant.
He urged the youths and women in the state to avail themselves with the opportunity of acquiring skills with the state’s relevant technology boards to be self- reliant for their benefit, that of the state and the country in general.
Also speaking, Mr.Musa Wayo, Chairman, Wamba local government area of the state commended the state government for initiating the student’s empowerment scheme.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Madaki Bello, a student from Government Secondary School, Maina in Lafia, thanked the state government for the donation, promising to put to use the materials donated towards improving their lives.
