By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Philanthropist, Hajiya Halimat Tejuosho Adenike through the QAT Foundation has empowered not fewer than 600 Nigerian youths in Kaduna state.
The empowerment cuts across the six geopolitical Zones of the country, with the aim to encouraging youths with innovative skills of the 21st century, both for their livelihoods support and for self reliance.
The beneficiaries, hundred from each of the six Nigerian geopolitical Zones totalling six hundred, were empowered with Sewing machines, grinding engine, Hair dryer, among other items.
Speaking at the one day event, in Kaduna on Monday, Hajiya Halimat, who is the CEO of QAT Foundation said that the event is to commemorate the 2024 world humanitarian/ International Youths’ Day, tagged “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development, and equally the World Humanitarian Day, “The time is now to Act for Humanity and Protect Humanity.”
She disclosed that the foundation had trained the participants in their different skills acquisition, while noting that skills remain the most valuable asset of the human society.
Calling on well meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota to national development, Tejuosho noted that government cannot do everything alone without collaboration from relevant stakeholders in the society.
She condemned the recent nationwide protests across the country, an act that she lamented was perpetrated by youths, void of patriotism to destroy their own country rather than building it.
She called on Nigerian youths to exercise patience with the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration who is doing everything humanly possible to give everybody the Nigeria of their dreams, particularly the youths, whom she affirmed that they remained the leaders of tomorrow.
Citing some of the interventions of the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration in one year, Adenike said that the administration of Tinubu has shown its commitment to the youth by setting up the student loan scheme, adding that 45.6billion Naira has already been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions.
The philanthropist equally stated that “more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from the government’s nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-bussinesses are expected to benefit.
“On the other hand, 75,000 beneficiaries have been processed to receive the Tinubu’s N1million Micro and Small Business single-digit interest loans, starting this month.The APC government has also built 10 MSME hubs within the past year, created 240,000 jobs through them and 5 more hubs are in progress which will be ready by October this year.”
In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Mohammed Sule from the University of Jos, Plateau state while speaking on the theme of event, “Digital Skills For Green Entrepreneurship” linked contemporary challenges of Nigerian youths with over dependency as a result of fear to take risk.
He avered that every business is associated with risk, adding that the greatest risk in life is to take no risk at all.
“Digital skills are essential for green entrepreneurs to succeed in today’s digital economy. By acquiring these skills, entrepreneurs can develop sustainable businesses that thrive online and offline, contributing to a more environmentally conscious future.
“The fear of failure has discouraged not just youth but the larger society from venturing into one business or the other. Unknown to them that such action is the greatest enemy of success.” Dr. Sule said.
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the equipments and give the skills all it takes to profit both themselves and the larger society.
One of the beneficiaries, Blessing Sunday who applauded the gesture of QAT Foundation said “I am the most happiest person today because initially when I told my friend that I am undergoing this program, some of them laughed at me thinking that it was a scam. I cannot thank the NGO enough, I pray that God will continue to bless them more.” she said
Asked on whether she will sell it as the case of some beneficiaries, Blessing said, “I am a beneficiary of Sewing machine and I have learned fashion design,so why will I sell it. I will not sell it instead I will use it to buy more machines to enlarge myself based on the lecture we have received today.” she added.
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