FG trains 177 youths in smartphone repairs with N5.9bn

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The Federal Government, on Thursday, confirmed committing the sum of N5.9 billion on training, tooling, and monthly stipends for the Batch C beneficiaries of the N-Power Programme in Kano State.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq disclosed at the closing ceremony of not less than 177 youths, who benefited, from the government’s training on Smart Phone Repairs and Services under the N-Skills program, a component of the N-Power program in Kano.

The Minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on N-Skills, Dr. Nasir Mahmoud, disclosed that about 16,629 youths were currently benefiting from the program (under Batch C) in the state, noting that about 18,042 had already benefitted in the Batch A and B of the program.

Farouq warned the N-Skills beneficiaries against selling their starter packs, which were handed over to them after the program, adding that it was well-conceived to rescue them from unemployment and transform them into employers of labor.

“We have had such experience in the past, whereby beneficiaries were engaged in selling of the starter packs, which is rather unfortunate. Do not sell them, as they are meant for your judicious use to bail you out of the unemployment circle and transform you to employers of labor.”

Also, the minister noted that the N-Skills program was based on a certification system and accreditation of practical training provided through the informal apprenticeship System, anchored by Master Craft Persons, and the formal training system, including using the Community Skills Development Centres in many States.

“The program’s goals, among others are to improve the quality and relevance of skills delivered, using a certification system and to ease the transition of target beneficiaries to full-time skilled employment, self-employment, and/or further their education. It targets marginalized and disadvantaged populations, including those with primary or no-formal education.

“The N-Skills accommodates many skills-based enterprises, Smart Phone Repairs is used to pilot the program under the N-Power non-graduate component. The program is designed to train, tool and transition marginalized unemployed youths into the labor market to gainfully be employed. The Ministry collaborated, with technical service providers to provide the N-Skills training services to 6,475 unemployed youths across the Federation.