The Katsina State Government has announced plans to empower over 14,000 women across the 34 local government areas in the next phase of its empowerment programme, as part of ongoing efforts to promote self-reliance, reduce unemployment and boost economic growth.
The announcement was made on Monday during the graduation and distribution of empowerment kits to 1,000 trained adolescent girls across the state.
The beneficiaries were drawn from nine skill acquisition training centres where they received training in vocational and entrepreneurial skills including tailoring, ICT, shoe and leather works, dyeing, cosmetology and agribusiness value chains.
The ceremony was held at the Continental Event Centre and organised by the state Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development, headed by Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani.
Speaking at the event, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to human capital development and economic growth.
He explained that equipping young trainees, especially girls, with start-up tools will enable them to translate acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
“When you educate and empower the girl-child, you empower the entire society. Our government remains committed to ensuring that every girl in Katsina State has the opportunity to learn, grow and realise her full potential,” Radda said.
The governor noted that women constitute a vital segment of society whose contributions to family stability, economic productivity and community development cannot be overlooked.
Radda urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the empowerment kits, stressing that the government will continue to support youths and women through training, access to finance and market linkage.
He said the next phase of the empowerment programme will cover women across all 34 local government areas to ensure wider reach.
In her opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Education and Child Development, Jamila Abdu Mani, warned beneficiaries against selling the items.
She described such actions as a betrayal of the programme’s objectives and urged the girls to make judicious use of the start-up tools, adding that the empowerment is part of a broader strategy aimed at poverty reduction, youth engagement and economic diversification across Katsina State.
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