The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has collaborated with the British Council and Prince Trust International (PTI) to launch an orientation program for successful candidates of the “Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Program.”
The event, held at Nasarawa Guest Palace in Kano, welcomed 80 ambitious youths from all 44 local government areas of the state. Speaking at the occasion, CITAD’s Executive Director, Alhaji Y.Z. Ya’u, highlighted the initiative’s goal of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among participants and providing necessary mentorship and support for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The program aims to reduce unemployment by empowering youths to become employers of labor. It includes training in life skills (ICT, photography, videography), soft skills (communication, problem-solving, finance management), and business skills (business development, navigating challenges, and bookkeeping).
Alhaji Isah Garba, Senior Programmes Officer at CITAD, emphasized the program’s sustainability plan, featuring a business pitch competition to award-successful entries and provide a startup boost for their ventures. Facilitator Zainab Aminu outlined the orientation’s focus on providing basic skills in ICT, autography, videography, digital photography, communication, problem-solving, and finance management.
Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Sharada, representing Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, encouraged participants to utilize the acquired skills and knowledge effectively in a job market where the government cannot provide employment for everyone.
The initiative underscores the commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, providing opportunities for skill acquisition and business development to drive socio-economic growth and reduce unemployment in Kano State.
