By Ndahi Marama
MAIDUGURI- A total of N1 billion has been spent by the Borno state government on poverty alleviation and youth empowerment across the 27 local government areas of the state, the state commissioner of Poverty Alleviation and youth empowerment Dr. Zainab Gimba has said.
The commissioner disclosed this Friday at a press briefing to mark one year anniversary of Governor Kashim Shettima in office which took place at the conference Hall of the ministry of Information Maiduguri. She said in the last one year, her ministry has distributed over 5,000 sewing, milling, grading water pumping machines and tri-cycles to youths and women across the state.
She explained that the ministry has also renovated and equipped eight skill acquisition centres in Biu, Gubio, Gwoaza, MMC, Manguno, Lassa, Damboa and Gamboru Ngala to train youth and women in various kills.
Beside, Dr. Gimba stated that over 9,000 unemployed youths have so far been trained on various skills acquisitions, where take- off grant have given to them to start their own businesses, adding that following the ban on motorcycle in the state, the ministry had distributed over 5,000 tricycles to the youths in order to serve as a palliative measures.
She also said 104 hectares of land have been cultivated across the 27 local government areas of the state in line with the Governor's Agricultural sector transformation in the state, in addition to the training of over 1000 youths on irrigation in Thailand, Egypt, Togo, China and Israel.
According to the commissioner fish pond will be establish in all the 312 wards of the state to empower women in through cooperative societies, adding that the ministry will also distribute free uniforms, sandals and books to the primary school pupils to asis their indigent parents.
Also in a separate press briefing, the commissioner of Women Affairs and social development, Hajiya Inna Galadima said that the ministry was able to repair and integrate 58 patients living with Vascular Virginal Fistula (VVF), adding that the Fatima Ali Sheriff Motherless Home in Maiduguri is also undergoing total renovation to make it conducive for the less privileged in the society.
She said the ministry in conjunction with ministry for local government and Chieftaincy Affairs and other Non Government Organizations have enlightened and educated women on Polio, Maternal Health and other diseases.
The commissioner stated that the ministry has also distributed over 1,000 empowerment machines which are grinding, sewing, knitting machines, as well as traditional utensils and rubber mat to empower women in the state, stressing that over 200 women have already been trained in various skills across the state.
As parts of 2012 Women`s Day celebration the ministry success fully connect over 100 female students to women of substance in the state including the wife of the Borno state Governor Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima as port of its mentoring programme.
Vanguard Nigeria