By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
The Kano State Government has donated state-of-the-art equipment worth N250 million to two community-owned skills acquisition centres as part of efforts to tackle youth restiveness, drug abuse, and other related crimes through job creation and empowerment.
The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Kofarmata, announced the donation during the official handover of the equipment to the centres located in Kofarmata, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, and Gwale Local Government Area.
According to Dr. Kofarmata, the gesture was approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to strengthen youth empowerment initiatives across the state.
He explained that although the two centres were established by community members to train youths in leather processing, they lacked the necessary machinery to commence full operations.
“The governor directed that 26 high-grade leather processing machines and tools be provided to both centres to enable them train youths in skills that will keep them productive and self-reliant,” .
He maintained that the Gwale centre was personally built by Governor Yusuf, as it falls within his constituency, while the Kofarmata centre was constructed through the efforts of Dr. Yakubu Adam, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Dr. Kofarmata emphasized that the centres are expected to create hundreds of job opportunities and complement the administration’s broader strategy of combating crime by equipping young people with sustainable livelihoods.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Kofarmata community, Ali Musa Kofarmata, Vice President of the Kofarmata Development Association (IKMA), expressed gratitude to the state government for what he described as a life-changing intervention.
“This centre will not only develop our youths but will also reduce crime and drug abuse. We have already begun admitting male and female trainees who will graduate after three months before another batch is enrolled,” .
The ceremony was graced by community leaders, and other stakeholders.
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