Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Federal Government has flagged off skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training for youths and women in the frontline states hard hit by the devastating effects of desertification and land degradation caused partly by human activities.
The training been anchored by the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) is expected to improve the livelihoods of the affected communities.
A press release from NAGGW signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Sule Pauline, said the the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar flaggged-off the ceremony in the Afforestation Programme Coordinating Unit (APCU) in Kano recently.
The press release quoted the Minister as saying that behavioural change by the people can help revert the land degradation.
Hence the need to train the people particularly the youths and women on various off-land skills to transform unskilled hands into skilful, productive and efficient hands that have a mastery of certain vacations, Abubakar said.
“The Minister said that part of the mandate of the NAGGW is to improve the resilience of human and natural system in Sudo-Sahelian region of the country facing challenges of climate change, land degradation and desertification through sustainable ecosystem management and human capacity.
“Dr. Abubakar further stated that it is in this regard that the Agency has put in place five Skills Acquisition Centres in Kano, Bauchi, Katsina, Sokoto and Yobe States for training of members of the affected communities in the eleven frontline States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The representative of Kano State Government at the ceremony stated that the State is not relenting in combating desertification.
“He added that the State has mapped out strategy to distribute two million tree seedlings to farmers and institutions for planting as part of addressing environmental challenges.
“In his remarks the Director General (DG) NAGGW, Dr. Bukar Hassan charged the trainees to be attentive and make good utilisation of the training.
“He said ninety youths and women from Kano and Jigawa States have been earmarked for the training here in Kano, while plans has been put in place for the training in the remaining nine States.
“He added that each trainee after the exercise will be given a starter pack to enable him/her to professionally kick start the trade immediately without having to seek for initial capital. He urged them to become masters of their own art, generate income and ensure sustainable livelihood in their communities.
“After the ceremony the Minister was joined by other dignitaries for a Commemorative Tree Planting at the venue.”
