Chris Awhawha
The Governor of Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has distributed Agricultural tools and equipments to 100,000 youths to boost farming in the state.
Bago disclosed this during the distribution of start-up kits to over 5,000 graduates of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) Youth Transformation Program.
The event was held weekend at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
He emphasized that nations that achieve growth prioritize skills development, noting that many development partners have expressed interest in collaborating with the state to train youth in various skills.
The Governor expressed gratitude to N-HYPPADEC for the initiative, describing it as a valuable corporate social responsibility effort. He also thanked N-HYPPADEC for its partnership with the state government in relocating communities affected by flooding and in providing potable drinking water across Niger State.
Commending the graduates, Governor Bago praised their resilience and perseverance throughout the training period, reminding them that greatness is achieved through determination and hard work. He encouraged them not to sell their start-up kits but to use them wisely. He also advised them to avoid drugs and crime and to strive to be successful.
The Governor urged those who trained in agricultural skills to consider partnerships with established farms to enhance their outcomes.
Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, described the event as historic. He explained that the Youth Transformation Program was created to address unemployment in member states, training over 5,000 youth across six states. This included over 1,500 youth from Niger State, 505 in Benue, 1,011 in Kebbi, 705 in Kogi, 814 in Kwara, and 365 in Plateau State. The training spanned three to six months, and the acquired skills have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Yelwa revealed that the commission is planning a second edition of the program, which will feature an entrepreneurship unit to coordinate empowerment and job creation activities, with advanced skills training for unemployed degree and HND holders.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Simon Tyungu, praised N-HYPPADEC’s efforts, describing the program as complementary to President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives for youth engagement.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, commended N-HYPPADEC and Governor Bago, whom he described as a vibrant leader dedicated to advancing Niger State. He noted that, starting in 2025, N-HYPPADEC will receive additional support to carry out more zonal interventions and capital projects.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, commended the graduates for their dedication, highlighting the benefits of the skills they acquired.
In goodwill messages, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, Youth Development Commissioner Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin Boka, and National Youth Council of Nigeria’s Niger State Chapter Chairman Abdullahi Ishaq all lauded N-HYPPADEC’s vision and Governor Bago’s support for youth development. They encouraged beneficiaries to make effective use of the starter packs.
The beneficiaries were trained in fields such as tailoring, fashion design, painting, photography, plumbing, floor tiling, block molding, bricklaying, catering, hairdressing, auto mechanics, engineering, poultry, and fisheries, among others.
Governor Bago inspected the start-up kits to be distributed to the graduates.