Jigawa: Bola Tinubu Skill Centre Trains 300 Youths, Targets 1,500 Graduates Annually – Official
The Jigawa State Government has said the newly remodelled Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-purpose Skills Acquisition Centre in Dutse, the state capital, is currently training 300 youths in 14 vocations as part of efforts to tackle unemployment, promote self-reliance and create wealth in the state.
Officials at the centre said the facility, reconstructed and equipped by Governor Umar Namadi’s administration, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the governor’s 12-point development agenda focused on youth empowerment and economic growth.
Addressing journalists during the just concluded media tour of northwest states, the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sport, Sagir Musa, explained that the centre was established to equip young people with practical skills that would enable them to earn a living, establish small-scale businesses and contribute to the state’s economy.
“The centre signifies the connection between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the governor’s development agenda for Jigawa State.
”The administration remains committed to addressing youth unemployment through vocational training and enterprise development,” he said.
The officials disclosed that the centre offers training in hotel and event management, ICT, carpentry, automobile repairs, fishery, CNG conversion, tailoring, embroidery, leather works, beads making and hairdressing, among others.
They added that the facility also has a showroom for displaying products made by trainees, alongside modern equipment used for practical training.
“At a given time, we train about 300 young people, and every year we expect to graduate not less than 1,500 trainees from this centre alone,” the officials stated.
They noted that the embroidery section of the centre now produces garments locally that were previously imported from countries such as Morocco and Mali.
“We are now producing and consuming what we make here in Jigawa State,” he added.
The Commissioner further revealed that the Dutse centre is one of eight operational vocational training centres spread across the state, with additional facilities located in Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure, Birnin Kudu and Ringim, alongside the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre.
According to the officials, the initiative is expected to help reduce insecurity by engaging youths productively and providing them with sustainable means of livelihood.
“Young people who are idle are vulnerable to criminal activities because they have nothing doing. By empowering them with skills, we are helping to make the state safer,” they said.
On measures put in place to attract young people, the management said the centre operates an open and transparent application process accessible to all indigenes of the state.
They explained that interested applicants can apply online through a dedicated portal, regardless of their social or economic background.
The officials also highlighted recreational facilities such as a football pitch and other supportive amenities designed to make the learning environment more attractive to trainees.
The centre, which became operational about two years ago after renovation works, currently provides free training and transport allowances to participants.
“For now, the programme is strictly for Jigawa indigenes, and all selected trainees receive financial support to be part of the programme,” the Commissioner said.