Skills Acquisition: Zulum Gives N1.2bn Starter Kits, Grant To 832 Orphans

February 27, (THEWILL) – Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has approved the distribution of starter kits worth N1.2 billion to 832 trained artisans, mostly orphaned as a result of over a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency, who graduated from the Borno State Enterprise Institute.

Zulum, while speaking during the graduation event on Tuesday, at the Muna Vocational Enterprise Institute in Jere Local Government Area of the State, said the trainees were selected from across the 27 council areas and have undergone one year of intensive training in 14 different trades.

According to the Governor, 54 specialise in aluminium fabrication, 29 in bricklaying, 48 in carpentry, 73 in information technology, 41 in barbing, 46 in electrical work, 85 in leatherworks, 40 in plumbing, 72 in mechanical engineering, 67 in solar technology, 148 in tailoring, 18 in tie and dye, 59 in welding and 53 in hairdressing.

“The sum of N847,277,297 worth of kits and grants have been shared to 832 trained artisans, in addition to another N349,440,000 one-year labour-intensive public work grant that will help them attain self-reliance.

“A total of N1.2billion was released as a package for the trainees. I have approved N41,600,000, with each 832 graduating artisans getting N50,000,” he said.

Zulum equally approved automatic employment for the 64 best artisans who achieved over 90% in both their specialised trades and academic assessments.

“I understand that 64 out of 832 scored above 90% in both their specialised trades and the academic assessment. I, therefore, direct that all 64 of them should be employed and deployed to other vocational institutes across the state,” he said.

The Governor said vocational institutes were established in the state to address the challenges of youth unemployment and provide a means of livelihood for the people.

“Upon assuming office, one of the primary objectives of my administration has been youth empowerment. We were acutely aware of the devastating impact of insurgency on our communities, leaving many without means of livelihood and leading to widespread unemployment, idleness, and despair. As the saying goes, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.

“To address these challenges head-on, we established vocational enterprise institutes, focusing on admitting vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by the insurgency, to equip them with skills for sustainable livelihoods,” he disclosed.

Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to process modalities for converting Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute to a monotechnic with the capacity to award a National Diploma.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said with funding allocated by Governor Zulum to the technical and vocational enterprises, the output across all centres is targeted at over 4,000 artisans annually.