From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris, has distributed multi-million naira working tools to 600 women and youths who were trained on skills acquisition and graduated under the auspices of her foundation, Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS.)
Areas of focus were on cosmetology, make-up, catering, bags & shoes making, tailoring and soap making.
Addressing the beneficiaries at the graduation ceremony in Jega, Hajia Nafisa presented N30,000 cash and relevant skills materials to each graduand, with a warning not to sell them.
“I was empowered by my husband, Governor Nasir Idris, to embark on the training programme to enable women engage in profitable ventures for self reliance.
“The scheme will encompass all the 21 local government areas but I have started with Jega in view of the position of the town to the economic development of our dear state.”
She advised the beneficiaries to be steadfast and utilise the items given to them to attain the target objective.
“Cost of living is now enormous, the burden is more on men and husbands, women must endeavour to engage in economic ventures to assist their husbands in family upkeep.
“This is the essence of the skills acquisition training programme to improve the welfare status of women through trade and commerce.
“Governor Idris holds Jega in high esteem as manifested in his consistent support and care to the people of the area.
“Jega is the commercial hub of Kebbi, therefore, what is circulating in rumours about the governor with regards to Jega is untrue, disregard it, my husband is a lover of Jega.”
She urged the inhabitants of the area to remain law-abiding, loyal, supportive and cooperative to the Governor and his administration, praying fervently for his success.
The traditional ruler of Jega, Sarkin Kabin Jega, Muhammad Arzika Bawa, commended the wife of the governor for choosing Jega to launch the programme on skills acquisition training to boost the purchasing power of families.
He also thanked Governor Nasir for accelerating the pace of economic and commercial activities in Jega through numerous empowerment schemes and development programmes.
Chairman of Jega Local Government, Shehu Umar, described the town as the hub of trade and commerce in Kebbi, saying that Governor Nasir Idris has rendered the necessary assistance to boost its economic activities.