Adamawa state has trained 63 graduates, including women and youths, in cosmetology and home technology as part of its empowerment programme. Hamman Gatugel, the commissioner for entrepreneurship development, disclosed this in Yola while presenting start-up kits to the beneficiaries after their four-day training.
He explained that the initiative was a major step toward promoting creativity, resilience and economic empowerment. According to him, “The programme is designed as part of the ministry’s mandate to equip youths and women with market-driven skills that promote self-reliance, wealth creation, and sustainable livelihoods.” He noted that cosmetology and home technology remain fast-growing sectors in micro-enterprise development, adding that the skills acquired would help beneficiaries generate daily income and support their families.
Mr Gatugel congratulated the trainees and urged them to apply their skills productively, saying their knowledge would contribute to the growth and prosperity of Adamawa and Nigeria. He also commended Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for supporting various women and youth empowerment programmes.
In his remarks, Michael Zira, director-general of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), praised Mr Fintiri for establishing the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development. He stressed that small-scale businesses could sustain communities and encouraged the graduates to take their trades seriously so they could become employers of labour in the future.
Mustapha Gana, state coordinator of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), urged the beneficiaries to uphold professionalism, creativity and excellence in their businesses. He advised them to value their customers, remain consistent, and invest time and resources to grow their enterprises. He also assured the state government that SMEDAN would continue to provide technical support to small-scale businesses in Adamawa.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Wonokaha Ahmadu thanked the state government for organising the programme aimed at promoting self-reliance. He said the training covered both theory and practical sessions, including production of liquid detergent, petroleum jelly, air freshener, shampoo and soap. He noted that the opportunity had given participants useful skills they could build on to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state economy.
