From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
The Federal Government is to train 646 Youths in Benue State in various skills through the Youth Transformation Programme of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, (HYPPADEC).
Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa disclosed this in Makurdi on Friday while declaring open a two-day training of 30 Master Trainers for the programme.
Sadiq-Yelwa who was represented by the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Dr Daniel Ipilakyaa, explained that the programme would be carried out in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE) and other technical partners.
He said beneficiaries would be trained in skills of various trades and then empowered to eradicate poverty, enhance self reliance and economic production.
On his part, HYPPADEC’s Director of Community and Rural Development, Dr Mahmud Mohammad, who was represented by Mr Thomas Kende said 30 master trainers, comprising of 10 each from the three Senatorial districts of the state were selected with for the two-day exercise.
Also speaking, State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Teryima Nguher as well as acting State Coordinator of the NDE, Williams Agada, described the Youth Transformation Programme as a laudable initiative even as they assured of maximum support and partnership to enable it succeed.
In her welcome address, State Coordinator of HYPPADEC, Mrs Magdalene Jam-Ayu promised to ensure strict supervision of the exercise to ensure compliance to the laid down guidelines.
In their separate remarks, two participants at the training workshop, Abdul Yusuf and Abraham Owoicho both expressed joy that they were chosen to take part in the training just as they noted that the knowledge they would gain would be properly utilized to train the beneficiaries.