The Kano State government has praised the Federal Government’s moves to empower one million youths across the country with digital and related skills.
The Federal Government announced plans through the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima to launch a digital hub.
The move is in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing more digital jobs for young Nigerians, including women.
Reacting to the development, Jamilu Abbas, the special adviser to Governor Kabiru Yusuf on cooperatives, described it as timely.
He said the policy would complement the desire of Yusuf’s administration to support cooperative groups across the state to be economically solvent.
According to him, the state government is targeting about 250 various cooperative groups for the intervention.
Abbas, who is also the National President of Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN), noted that most members of cooperative groups belong to different medium and small enterprises. He said that the intended beneficiaries include market traders, farmers, artisans and ICT sector.
He, however, urged the federal government to accord Kano state priority because of its size, population and commercial nature.
Besides, Abbas, a former member of the House of Representatives, appealed to Kano indigenes to embrace the policy in order to modernise and strengthen their businesses.
According to the policy, the centres, to be known as FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub, will open first in Lagos and Borno States with Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo and Kano states to follow afterwards.
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The strategic objectives of the programme include empowering young entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored financial products, training and support to enable them build sustainable businesses that would support the growth of Nigeria’s economy.
Other objectives include: supporting tech-savvy youths with a keen interest in digital innovations and aspiring to drive technological advancements, by providing them with financial solutions, training and access to strategic partnerships; and empowering young employees to become an integral part of the workforce in Nigeria.
The focus is on promoting entrepreneurship, skills development and the integration of young employees in the workforce, particularly getting one million youths employed in the digital economy and upskilling SMEs who can directly add value to the country’s economy, the government assured.
