From Maiharaji Altine Salah
Plans are currently underway by the Sokoto State government to unveil the Sokoto Youth Economic Empowerment Project (SO-YEEP) aimed at ensuring that the teeming youths in the state have become self employed.
Governor Tambuwal stated this at the inauguration of the Sokoto state chapter of the elected executives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Federated Organisation of Sokoto State Students Organization (FOSSOSA), held at the auditorium of Sultan Maccido Institute of Qur,anic and General Studies in the state capital.
The project according to Governor Tambuwal would involve thousands of youths across the 3,032 polling units of the 23 local government areas in the state.
Governor Tambuwal explained that the project would include skills training, direct disbursement and mentoring.
The governor maintained that, “majority of the youths have lots of businesses and ideas but lack start-up capital’.
He therefore assured that arrangements have reached advanced stage towards establishing the Sokoto Youth Development Fund (SOYDEF) to assist them.
”This is in continuation of our efforts in making Sokoto youths not only self reliant but also employers of labour and creators of wealth”. Said Tambuwal.
He challengee the youth to be very focused towards the realization of the Youth Development Agenda of his administration.
He said his admnistration was focused on transforming the State through numerous ongoing projects and programs that includes the ongoing construction of a new ultra-modern sports complex and indoor sports hall.
He said the two facilities would be the launching pads for the grooming of future champions from the state in the arenas of National and International competitions.
The governor used the occasion to inform the gathering that the state government has paid over N740 million as examination fees to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).
In his address, the state Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Comrade Bashir Usman Gorau thanked the goveyrnor for giving the youths opportunity to serve in different capacities.
