Group Kicks Off Empowerment Of 250 Unemployed Graduates, Widows
A socio-cultural organization in Nasarawa State, the Agwatashi Unity Forum, has kicked off a skills acquisition and empowerment scheme for unemployed graduates and widows, 250 in number.
Spokesperson for the group, Alhaji Saidu Adamu while addressing beneficiaries in Agwatashi, Obi Local Government Area of the Nasarawa State said the gesture was in line with the spirit of assisting the needy in the yultide season.
Alhaji Saidu Adamu stated that the group decided to focus on programmes aimed at self reliance this year as according to him, most youths especially in the rural areas take to crimes due to frustration and idleness.
He called on the youths especially graduates to desist from relying on white collar jobs and be innovative as government alone cannot provide all the jobs for the growing population of the country.
Alhaji Saidu Adamu explained that 250 beneficiaries had been selected for the pilot scheme to be trained in detergent making, salon, baking , tailoring and welding among others and would be provided with start up packs.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Finance , Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Haruna Ogbole who described the initiative as one of a kind, said the State government would continue to work closely with organizations whose objective were people centred.
Agwatashi Unity Forum is a non profitable organizations that draws its membership from mostly working-class Alago sons and daughters with the aim of assisting the less privileged at the end of every year.
On their part, the beneficiaries of the gesture while expressing gratitude to the Agwatashi Unity Forum, assured that they will make good use of the knowledge acquired to better their lives.
They also added their voice in calling on the government at all levels to take decisive steps towards ending unemployment among youths in the country.
One of the beneficiaries Miss Suwaiba Ayitonu said the scheme had given her hope of earning a living having graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for over ten years without a job.
She called on well meaning individuals and groups to channel their resources for the development of the youths to check restiveness.
Another beneficiary Mr Muhammad Osolafia who said he is into photography commended the initiators of the Empowerment Programme, Agwatashi Unity Forum for investing their resources to explore the potentials of the youths.
Agwatashi Unity Forum, a non political and non profit making organization is funded by the members who are mostly working class Alago sons and daughters of Agwatashi.
According to officials of the group, over 150 million had been earmarked for this year’s skills acquisition and empowerment scheme.
The group had last year December embarked on a medical outreach including surgeries on over 1000 beneficiaries in Agwatashi and surrounding communities.
