By Gbolahan Salman
The Sokoto State Government has commenced a two-week skills acquisition programme for 50 youths in mobile phone repairs, solar installation and maintenance, computer repairs and other digital electronic services to promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment.
The initiative, supported by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, is designed to equip participants with practical skills, tools and start-up assistance to establish businesses and become economically independent.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr Bashir Mohamed Achida, said the programme aligned with the governor’s nine-point SMART agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment and economic development.
Achida said the government considered vocational training a more sustainable approach to youth empowerment than relying solely on temporary financial assistance.
He noted that young people constituted approximately 73 to 75 per cent of Sokoto’s population, describing the figure as an opportunity for economic growth if properly harnessed through skills development.
“The best way to empower a youth is to provide them with the necessary skills, life skills and hands-on skills so that they can live a dignified life and help themselves,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the government would monitor the beneficiaries after the training to ensure they applied the knowledge acquired to productive ventures.
He added that participants would receive starter kits and start-up support to establish their businesses upon completing the programme.
According to him, the initial batch of 50 participants was deliberately selected to allow for intensive training and effective supervision, with plans to extend the initiative to more youths.
He urged the beneficiaries to remain committed to the training, stressing that their success could improve their families’ living conditions and contribute to the development of their communities.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Dogondaji General Services and consultant to the programme, Yahaya Dogondaji, said the participants would receive hands-on training in mobile phone repairs, solar installation and maintenance, computer repairs and other digital electronic services.
Dogondaji said the 14-day training would equip participants with the technical knowledge required to identify and repair faults in electronic devices and solar power systems.
He commended the governor for supporting the initiative, describing vocational training as an important intervention for young people facing unemployment and economic hardship.
Earlier, youth leaders involved in facilitating the programme said the initiative followed their engagement with the governor on the need to equip young people with practical skills to achieve economic independence.
They added that the beneficiaries would receive the necessary tools and support to start their businesses after the training.
Other speakers at the event included the state coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Dr Mansur Buhari, and the Director-General of the Sokoto State Community Health and Emergency Medical Services Agency (SOCHEMA).
The programme is also expected to help participants tap into the growing demand for solar installation and maintenance services as households and businesses increasingly adopt alternative energy sources.
