The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has equipped 1,127 youths and women in Plateau State with vocational skills in agriculture, automobile repairs, tailoring, confectionery and other areas.
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‎The training was conducted under the Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training programme of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA) and ended on Tuesday in Kuru, near Jos.
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‎Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Plateau Coordinator of the Social Investment Programme, Mary Fom, said the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical skills that could improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty.
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‎She said the beneficiaries also received training in cooking and catering, masonry, grinding and vulcanising. According to her, the participants underwent an intensive two-week programme across seven training centres in the state.
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‎Fom added that the trainees were provided with starter packs and financial support to enable them to begin applying the skills acquired.
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‎She encouraged the beneficiaries to share their knowledge with other people in their communities, saying this would help broaden the impact of the government’s empowerment programme.
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‎The Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Samuel Jatau, also urged the beneficiaries to put their newly acquired skills to productive use.
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‎Jatau cautioned them against selling the starter packs, stressing that they were intended to help the beneficiaries establish sustainable means of livelihood. He added that the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang would continue to introduce programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of residents.