The Yobe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic empowerment initiatives for small and medium-scale traders, with fresh capacity building programmes and tools distribution underway for mobile phone dealers across the state.
The assurance was given by the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation, Alh Aji Yerima Bularafa, also known as Mal Terab of Gujba, while receiving members of the Association of Mobile Phone and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria on a courtesy and appreciation visit at the Ministry.
Responding to the delegation led by the Association’s State Chairman, Alhaji Malami Ali, the Commissioner commended the traders for their cooperation and constructive engagement with government, assuring them that inclusiveness remains a guiding principle of the Ministry’s empowerment drive.
He disclosed that the Ministry is already making concrete preparations to roll out additional capacity building programmes and distribute working tools specifically targeted at members of the Association, in line with the administration’s agenda of job creation, entrepreneurship development and sustainable wealth creation.
“These interventions are part of the broader vision of His Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN (Chiroman Gujba), Executive Governor of Yobe State, to strengthen small businesses and improve livelihoods across the state,” Bularafa said.
Earlier, the Association’s State Chairman, Alhaji Malami Ali, expressed profound appreciation to the Commissioner and the Yobe State Government for sustained support to traders, noting that members of the Association have benefitted immensely from empowerment initiatives.
He said the interventions include capacity building programmes, provision of working tools, free financial support and access to soft loan schemes designed to support business stability and expansion for traders in the mobile phone sector.
According to him, under the soft loan arrangements, beneficiaries repay only part of the funds, while the state government absorbs and gifts 60 percent of the loan amount, significantly easing the financial burden on traders and enabling steady business growth.
While commending the Ministry for its impactful interventions, Malami appealed for broader coverage to ensure that more members of the Association across the state benefit from ongoing and future empowerment programmes.
In his closing remarks, Permanent Secretary Esv. Inuwa Usman Yaroro reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to partnering with professional associations, noting that the attendance of all Directors reflected a shared resolve for inclusive wealth creation statewide.
