By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume has challenged beneficiaries of the National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) skills acquisition programme to put into use what they have learnt for self sustainance and to create jobs for other unemployed Nigerians.
The Etsu Nupe/Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has enjoined beneficiaries of the scheme, those that are intrested in farming/agricultural sector to learn from those who have been in the business to avoid taking wrong steps capable of crashing their dreams.
The SGF spoke during the grand flag-off of the distribution of start-up kits for the graduates of the youth transformation programme, sponsored by the N-HYPPADEC, which took place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International conference centre, Minna.
He said, "Nigeria like most developing nations of the world, is faced with myriads of problems including youth and graduate unemployment, high rate of poverty, conflict and diseases, insincerity, over-dependence on foreign goods, low economic growth and development, lack of capacity and skills needed to move the economy forward and urbanization".
Consequently, unemployment has become a major problem bedeviling the lives of Nigerian youths, leading to frustration, dejection and dependence on family members and friends,
High rate of unemployment among especially the youths in Nigeria, according to Akume who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Simeon Tukur has contributed to the high rate of poverty and insecurity, adding that the N-HYPPADEC initiatives will go a long way in reducing the ugly trends.
The Etsu Nupe and chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar in his words of encouragement urged the beneficiaries in the agric sector to make out time and understudy those who have been in the business to avoid colossal losses.
The Monarch who is a full time farmer said his doors are open to offer useful tips to beginners in farming and related ventures to avoid making mistakes.
Also speaking, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago encouraged Nigerian graduates to add skills to the knowledge acquired in order to survive the present day realities.
Bago who said his administration is anxious to see that no Nigerlite is jobless nevertheless told the beneficiaries that, "Greate nations thrived on skills, not on number of certificates". NNL
