N-HYPPADEC distributes start-up packs to 5,000 Niger youths

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has distributed start-up packs to the 5,000 young persons trained under its Youth Transformation programme to address youth unemployment in all the member-states.

The Managing Director, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, spoke at the flag-off and distribution of start-up kits to the graduates at the weekend in Minna, Niger State.

Yelwa explained that over 5,000 youths were trained across six states, with over 1,500 of them from Niger, 505 in Benue, 1,011 in Kebbi, 705 in Kogi, 814 in Kwara and 365 in Plateau.

The N-HYPPADEC boss, who hinted that the training was between three and six months, said the skills acquired had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adding that plans were underway to commence second edition of the training, which would be upscaled to include the establishment of an entrepreneurship unit, for coordinating activities associated with entrepreneurship,
empowerment.and job creation, and to inculcate advanced skills’ acquisition training particularly for unemployed degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.

Earlier, Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago disclosed that the Niger State government had concluded a plan to equip 100,000 youths in the state with various agricultural and vocational skills, adding that many development partners have expressed willingness to partner with Niger in training the youth on different skills. He had appreciated the N-HYPPADEC for the initiative, describing it as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The governor applauded the graduates for their resilience and perseverance throughout training.Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, pointed out that the programme would complement efforts of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to engage youths in meaningful ventures that would keep them away from crime.

Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Niger East Senatorial District, Muhammad Sani Musa, lauded
the N-HYPPADEC leadership and Bago, whom he described as a vibrant, youthful governor.

The senator urged the youths to utilise the start-up kits, pointing out that from next year, N-HYPPADEC would be supported to carry out more programmes with most of them to be tied to zonal interventions and capital projects.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, who applauded the graduates for their patience, stated that the skills they have acquired would benefit them and their immediate environment.