No fewer than 30,000 youths were employed by the Bauchi State government in the past four years in its effort to reduce unemployment in the state. The state's governor, Malam Isa Yuguda gave the figure in Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State on Sunday at the celebration of the Lemb Zaar annual cultural festival.
The festival was organised by the Sayawa ethnic group of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas of the state. Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, Yuguda said most of the youths were engaged in the areas of sanitation and security duties.
``Government's policy in the area of culture is to explore the viability of culture as a catalyst for development, so as to fit into its development strategies.
We will, therefore, continue to provide all the support required for the cultural industry to thrive. The benefits derivable are in nurturing the skills and potentials of our ever-increasing workforce, predominantly the youths. Besides skills acquisition in various professions and trade, more than 30,000 youths have been employed in various activities like sanitation and security duties,'' he said.
The governor commended the Sayawa tribesmen for their initiative in organising the annual cultural festival, and urged other stakeholders in the culture sector to emulate them.
Yuguda gave the assurance that his administration would continue to provide social amenities that would enhance the living condition of the people. (NAN)
Attribution: Compass, DailyTrust, Guardian, NationalMirror, NewsWatch, SaharaReporters, Sensor and Vanguard.