By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
WIFE of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Sokoto flagged off the distribution of empowerment items to over 10, 000 trained women and youths in various skills who she identified as major components in building vibrant economy.
The items were a tripartite efforts by her pet programme , the Future Assured Innitiative, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the National Directorate of Employment.
Speaking, Mrs Buhari who was represented by an APC chieftain and former Minister for Science and Technology, Mrs Pauline Tallen said women an youths were fundamental segment and driving force for economic prosperity.
According to her” they need every support through empowerment to stimulate and encourage self reliance as key to boosting he economy, create employment and sustain development.”
Tallen noted that only sincere, trusted and God fearing leader like President Buhari could provide opportunities for women and youth self reliance.
She described Mrs Buhari as a symbol of passionate, caring, just and dependable woman who has the love for women and youths of the country.
Tallen who was one time Deputy Governor of Plateau state further commended Senator Wamakko for his overwhelming sacrifices and commitment to the course of Sokoto people in advancing their yearnings and aspirations for economic self reliance.
She further called on them to reciprocate by ensuring the re-election of Mr President and all APC candidates, adding that” APC is agenda is to ensure economic prosperity for citizens in a more secure and corrupt free Nigeria of our dream as we match to the Next Level.”
In his brief remarks, the Northern Senators Forum chairman, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko said the essence of the empowerment collaborative innitiative was to strengthen and provide window of opportunities to both women and youths to realise their usefulness to selves and society by becoming employed and self reliant.
He said women and youths were the primary target of APC to ensure they benefitted from all socio- economy intervention programmes.
According to the chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, ” we have so far trained and graduated over 17,000 who were also empowered skills and financial wise yo become productive to selves and society in the state.
” It is also aimed at curbing thuggery, poverty reduction and other social vices among capable of stagnating human capital development.”
The lawmaker noted that APC government was committed to providing gainful opportunities to women and youths.
” We will not betray our conscience and covenant with Nigerians on our promises to fight corruption, secure the country and economy.
” Only the guilty ones will be afraid of what President Buhari and APC is doing to reposition the country for our youths and women”, he said.
Earlier, the Director General of NDE, Dr Nasiru Ladan Argungu who commended Senator Wamakko for extending his support and prioritising the advancement of youths and women through skills acquisition training and empowerment said Sokoto state have no choice than to be with the lawmaker and APC government of President Buhari.
He said the beneficiaries of the training would receive packs of cosmetology with chemicals, electrical tools, welding and block moulding machines, interlock tools, sewing machines and customised wheel chairs for 10 handicaps.
” This is the 4th in series in an effort to complement Senator Wamakko’s commitment”, he said.
Also, former Minister of Transport,.Yusuf Suleiman describ ed the innitiative as a demonstration of he APC led government of President Buhari towards encouraging self reliance through empowerment as a means to create jobs and develop the economy.
He said Buhari deserves the votes of Nigeria for a second term, urging Sokoto people and Nigerians to wisely vote for APC for continuity.
Engineer Yakubu Umar Mani, Director Training said the one and half years of reviving NDE was far beneficial to Nigerians than the past 30years of the agency.
” Buhari needs re election”, he stressed.
