By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has graduated 300 women and youths from a tailoring skills acquisition programme as part of efforts to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods across the state.
Each beneficiary received a tailoring machine, N50,000 startup capital and a certificate to enable them to establish or expand their businesses.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, said the initiative was part of the administration’s broader strategy to equip women and young people with vocational skills and create opportunities for economic independence.
Govt Prioritises Skills Acquisition
Dr Aliyu said women and youth empowerment remained a priority of the administration, stressing that vocational training could help address unemployment, reduce idleness and improve household incomes.
She said thousands of residents had benefited from various empowerment programmes implemented through ministries, departments and agencies.
According to her, the establishment of the Ministry for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship was designed to strengthen vocational training and entrepreneurship development in Sokoto State.
She also highlighted the Ahmad Aliyu Initiative, which she said provides support for small and medium-scale businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and other livelihood activities.
Dr Aliyu urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the sewing machines and financial support provided by the government.
“Take your business seriously, stay committed and use the skills you have acquired to become financially independent and, eventually, create employment opportunities for others,” she said.
She commended the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Department of Community Development for implementing the programme, assuring residents that the government would continue to expand skills acquisition opportunities across the state.
1,750 Beneficiaries Trained in Vocational Skills
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare, said the ministry had implemented several vocational training programmes over the past three years.
He listed some of the skills covered by the programmes as tailoring, welding, vulcanising, soap making, knitting and jewellery production.
Adare said the interventions were designed to help beneficiaries establish sustainable sources of income, support their families and contribute to the socio-economic development of Sokoto State.
He added that the programme aligned with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda, particularly its focus on improving residents’ welfare and economic wellbeing.
The Special Adviser on Community Development, Garba Maitumbi Kebbe, said the latest graduation represented the sixth batch of beneficiaries trained under the programme.
According to him, 1,750 young men and women have so far received vocational training through the Department of Community Development.
Kebbe said beneficiaries had been trained in tailoring, welding, tea making, perfumery, jewellery and crown making, vulcanising, plumbing and electrical work.
He said the initiative was aimed at providing young people with practical skills to earn legitimate incomes, support their families and become productive members of society.
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