The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Alfa Imam has spent about N6 million on the empowerment scheme on skills and tool for self-reliance for 50 youths of his constituency.

Imam hosted the beneficiaries at an elaborate graduation ceremony/induction for new entrants at the Children Amusement Park in Lokoja recently.

Named ‘The Right Honorable Alfa Imam Skills Acquisition Programme (RHAISAEP)’, which commenced on 17th September, 2015 with the 50 beneficiaries a trainees on different skills has graduated a welder, one generator mechanic, two computer operators, five aluminium
technicians, eight tillers and Hair dressers.

Others are six fashion designers, 20 tailors, one printer, one plumber, one motor mechanic and eight leatherwork specialists.

The trainees after graduation were given their work tools along with 12 artisans bringing the number of those that benefited to 62.

The total cost for the training was put at N1, 240,000, total cost of equipment N3, 775, 800, printing/souvenir works for graduating and new intakes N404, 000 in addition to other sundry procurement bringing the total to Six million naira.

Imam said his greatest desire was to teach people how to fish rather than giving them fish because when they are armed with skills they would be able to catch fish in their lifetime and transform the society by paying their taxes.

In line with his promise to provide educational and scholarship support, he said he had embarked on the back-to-school programmes, which is aimed at providing writing materials for public library school pupils in primary two across the five wards in his constituency.

He said he has made payment for the school fees for the secondary and tertiary students.

The chairman of the occasion, deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Aliyu Akuh, commended the Speaker for his ability to unite all members as a family.

He expressed the hope that what the Speaker has started as a small beginning will grow to produce men and women that will hold their own and become pillars of the State in the nearest future.