President Bola Tinubu has empowered 200 youths in Imo state, with modern electrical tools for electrical installations and maintenance.
This is even as 305 women benefitted from the empowerment of modern energy-saving cooking stoves.
The empowerment took place at the weekend in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI) Khalil Suleiman Halilu, disclosed that the empowerment was in collaboration with Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Halilu admonished the 200 beneficiaries of the programme to put the acquired skills to diligent use, saying, “Now that you have acquired these new skills, you now have in your hands the power to create economic opportunities for yourselves and even for others.”
He said, “The President’s focus on job creation and youth empowerment aligns perfectly with the goals of this programme. As a Federal agency, NASENI remains steadfast in its commitment to realizing this agenda and renewing hope and opportunity for all Nigerians. In the 21st century, the significance and value of technical and vocational skills cannot be overemphasized, especially in a developing country like ours. The economic opportunities are limitless, for those who realize the value and commit themselves to learning and re-learning.”
Aside from the 200 trained Imo youths, NASENI also donated ‘305 Save Energy Stoves’ to 305 vulnerable women in the state which Mr. Halilu said was, “designed with the aims of improving their livelihoods and contribute to a sustainable and energy-efficient future.”
On his part, Governor Hope Uzodimma expressed gratitude to the federal government and NASENI for the intervention even as he called on the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by continually supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) government both at the state and the Federal level for more dividends of democracy.
Uzodimma told the beneficiaries “This is a lifetime opportunity that should not be toyed with. By availing yourself of this training, you are being encouraged to be financially responsible and independent. How you manage this opportunity given to you, will determine your destination in life. I pledge that we will continue to do all that is possible to help Imo youths have a headstart in life. And for the women, in addition to the money, NASENI will give to you, Imo state government will top it up.”