- As First Batch Of ARC-P Youths Facilitators Graduate In Gombe
- To Receive N30,000 Monthly Allowance
- Governor Inuwa Lauds President Buhari’s Social Intervention Programmes
- Targets More Empowerment Schemes to Improve Lives Of Citizenry
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his administration’s empowerment initiative of At Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) which he said has significantly helped in tackling crises associated with vulnerable children and youths that are potentially at risk of both physical and psychological state of wellbeing.
The Governor, made the assertion at the graduation ceremony of 500 youths facilitators trained on various skills under the said empowerment scheme in Gombe State.
He noted that the introduction of the ARC-P was to provide succour to the less privileged and the vulnerable in the society so that they can live a dignified and independent life with a brighter future.
“I commend the determination and commitment of the project advisory committee under the leadership of my wife, Hajiya Asmau Inuwa Yahaya and that of the project implementation team”.
The Governor further noted that the success of ARC-P activities in the State particularly the induction of the 500 youths facilitators could not have been achieved without the dedication of the trainees during the 3 weeks training.
“We are indeed proud of your commitment which has made Gombe State a model in the implementation of this laudable initiative, this batch of ARC-P facilitators that have completed their training were selected from the data bank of unemployed graduates that our administration established in order to link this skilled graduates with appropriate job opportunities”.
Governor Yahaya urged pioneers of the ARC-P youth facilitators to work hard and uphold their knowledge for good practice, training and to remain focus while maintaining the posture of good ambassadors of his administration’s efforts towards improving human capital in the State.
He said since coming to office in May 2019, the driving policy of his administration has been predicated on consolidation and fine tuning of ongoing critical infrastructural projects embarked upon by previous administration while initiating people- oriented policies and programmes for the overall development of the State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya stressed that his administration will remain committed to fulfilling the pledges made of taking Gombe State to the next level.
“In our quest to improve human capital, preparation for the engagement of no fewer than two thousand youths under our homegrown human capital development initiative, the Gombe State security traffic (G-STEP) and Environmental Corps has reached an advanced stage geared towards harnessing the energy of our youths for social and economic development”.
He said his administration is equally processing the purchase of over 2000 units of tricycles to distribute to other sets of youths across the 11 local Government areas of the State in order to provide them with means of livelihood.
“Mindful of the vulnerability of our women folk, we are equally working on another initiative that will empower not less than five thousand women across the 114 political wards of the State with various entrepreneurial skills and start-up packs so that they can earn a living for themselves and support their families”.
The Governor maintained that his administration will continue to partner with all relevant national and International development partners, traditional institutions, civil society groups and religious bodies in order to improve human capital in the State and create decent jobs for the teeming youths in the State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya used the occasion to call on stakeholders to play their roles towards the successful implementation of the At Risk Children Project so as to rid the streets of the most vulnerable members of the society.
He thanked the National lead of the Programme, Hajiya Maryam Uwais and representatives of International donor Agencies as well as financial institutions for their immense support to the programme implementation in the State.
In her remarks, Special adviser to the President on Social Investment, Hajiya Maryam Uwais who is also the national team lead of the ARC-P, challenged the pioneer graduands that additional responsibility has been placed on their shoulders of ensuring the safety of vulnerable members of their respective Communities especially the vulnerable.
She lauded Inuwa Yahaya led administration for being the first state to embrace the project.
“For us it is really heartwarming to see how Gombe prioritized youth empowerment which is apparently one of the key problems bedeviling this country and for us to have a State government that has placed so much trust and confidence in our ability to deliver is really very encouraging to us”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Secretary to Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi remarked that the graduation ceremony of the 500 ARC-P youth facilitators marked a great milestone in the quest by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in bringing succour to the numerous vulnerable children.
He noted that the Governor has, since coming to office, demonstrated uncommon determination towards creating enabling environment for youths to discover their talents, realize their potentials, improve their livelihood and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and nation.
The Special Adviser to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on human capital development, Barr. Sani Ahmed Haruna observed that the three weeks’ rigorous training for youth facilitators of At Risk Children Project could not have been possible without the support of the Governor and the National office of the project.
He said the 500 youths underwent training in Animal fattening, cosmetology, beads and leather work, fish and poultry farming as well as food and beverages.
“The over 100,000 target beneficiaries of the Gombe At-risk Children Project, are those between the ages of 7-24 who will benefit from various interventions rolled out under the project. That is why it was necessary for these Youths Facilitators, who will serve as the direct link to these children, be trained”.
“All the 500 Youth Facilitators, had undergone this mandatory 3 weeks training, and all 500 herein present have signed and agreed to work for the betterment of all At-Risk Children in Gombe State and their appointment letters will be issue as soon as we connect them to our proposed 25 Temporary Community Hubs- as we are already working hand in hand with all the 11 LGA’s in the State through the ALGON & the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs”.
There were goodwill messages from the Commissioner for youths development, Abubakar Musa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, planning and development partners Coordination, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed.
The ARC-P youth facilitators took turns to present souvenirs to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the National team lead of ARC-P Maryam Uwais as a show of appreciation for their resilience towards the welfare of the youth.
The Gombe State First Lady, Dr. Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya presented tablets to some outstanding trainees who performed exceptionally in digital and mental skills during the 3 weeks training.
