The African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government, has begun training 200 youth, widows, and vulnerable persons in vocational and technical skills to tackle unemployment and poverty in the state.
The six-week programme, holding at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, will equip participants with practical skills in ICT, tailoring, baking, aluminium fabrication, arc-welding, barbing, hairdressing, and electrical installation, among others.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mohammed Sameel, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD, said the trainees were carefully selected from the state’s 13 Local Government Areas.
“This initiative is designed to empower our youth, women, and vulnerable groups with employable skills that will make them self-reliant and job creators,” Sameel said.
He explained that the beneficiaries would be trained in two batches of 100 each for more effective learning. He added that a monitoring and evaluation team had been set up to ensure discipline and proper participation.
Sameel commended Governor Abdullahi Sule and the management of the vocational institute for supporting programmes that promote entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the institute, Daniel Asele, said the training would help reduce crime and unemployment by engaging young people in productive activities.
“After the training, each participant will receive seed funding to buy equipment and start their own business. The aim is to empower you to also train others and multiply the impact,” he said.
Earlier, Adi Hamza, AUDA-NEPAD’s Head of Project Development and Implementation in the state, thanked the government for its support and urged participants to take the training seriously.
“This is an opportunity to build a new life. With focus and commitment, you can become employers of labour and contribute to Nasarawa’s growth,” he said.
The initiative is part of AUDA-NEPAD’s efforts to drive entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
