Pantami Foundation Graduates 250 Gombe Youths in Tech, Entrepreneurship

In a significant push to tackle unemployment and foster self-reliance, the Professor Isa Pantami Foundation (PIP Foundation) has graduated approximately 250 citizens from Gombe State after an intensive, free skills acquisition programme.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation Headquarters in Pantami, marked the successful completion of a batch of training designed to equip young Nigerians with high-demand technical skills.

The initiative, fully sponsored by Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, aims to create a generation of job creators rather than job seekers. All 250 graduates, selected on merit from across the state’s eleven local government areas, were not only awarded certificates but also received start-up tools to immediately launch their own workshops.

A statement by Professor Suleiman Mohammed of the Foundation said the training curriculum was comprehensive, covering practical smartphone repair, alongside cutting-edge modules in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The programme also included mentorship sessions focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and the confidence to establish sustainable businesses.

During the ceremony, elated participants expressed their gratitude. They thanked Professor Pantami for the transformative initiative and prayed for Allah to reward him abundantly.

The event was graced by a host of dignitaries, underscoring the initiative’s community importance. The District Head of Pantami commended Professor Pantami, whom he referred to by his traditional title of Waziri Pantami, stating the district was proud to have a son of his calibre.

Other notable attendees included the Sarkin Malaman Gombe, Alhaji Ahmad Walama; the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Professor Yusuf Abdullahi; as well as a cross-section of community leaders, politicians, academics, and religious figures.

According to a statement released by Professor Suleiman Mohammed on behalf of the PIP Foundation, this programme is an ongoing national effort. The training will continue in batches across several Nigerian states, with Bauchi State likely to be the next beneficiary.