From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has supported 558 youths in Yobe State who underwent skill acquisition training by providing them with starter kits, charcoal-making machines, and other essential equipment.
During the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of the items in Damaturu, NEDC State Coordinator, Dr. Ali Ibrahim, explained that the initiative targets individuals who already possess some experience in their respective trades, aiming to help them enhance their skills and expand their businesses.
Dr. Ibrahim noted that the distribution of items would occur in different batches according to the schedule. The current distribution includes five beneficiaries who trained in Bauchi, 20 who received training in charcoal and briquette production in Damaturu, and another 20 who attended solar panel installation training in Maiduguri.
The beneficiaries were selected from across all 17 local government areas in the state following a screening and interview process conducted by the NEDC in collaboration with officers from the state Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders.
Dr. Ibrahim also commended the Yobe State Government for creating a conducive environment that enabled the commission to execute its mandate effectively. He assured that the NEDC remains committed to supporting the state government’s efforts to achieve its climate change mitigation objectives.
In his remarks during the ceremony, the state Commissioner for Environment, Sidi Karasuwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Tonga Betera, lauded the NEDC for the intervention.
He reiterated the government’s willingness to continue collaborating with the commission for the benefit of the people of Yobe and the North East region at large.
The coordinator urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items and share the knowledge gained during the training with others who were unable to participate, for the overall benefit of the community and the state.
