Borno to the OPS partner, others in poverty, reduction of unemployment

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Agency for Literacy (BOAML), Alhaji Abba Kaka Alibe, has said the agency will continue to partner with the Organized Private Sector (OPS) on various “skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training to address the problem of illiteracy , poverty and unemployment among numerous youth, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) staying in various camps in Maiduguri and Biu.

According to him, the partnership would also leverage the rich agricultural and mineral resources for mass production of household goods while increasing the income of entrepreneurs to reduce poverty and unemployment among young people in the state.

Alibe, which made the disclosure during the distribution of 202 internally displaced persons from the Small-Scale Entrepreneurship (SMSE) training program at the BOAML Assembly Hall in Maiduguri, said the agency was not only concerned with increasing literacy on a massive scale, but also tackling youth poverty and unemployment by working with other agencies on various ‘skills acquisition and trade’ activities to create more employment opportunities.

He, therefore, urged other corporate organizations in the country to emulate Na’ish Handmade Enterprise in training young people in various skills and trades to fight poverty and unemployment.

His words: “As this agency continued to collaborate with other corporate organizations on skills acquisition to develop human capacity, I call on the Borno State Government to continue to assist in training more displaced persons seeking shelter in various camps in Maiduguri and other towns in the North Sub-region -eastern country.”

Managing Director of Na’ish Handmade Enterprises, Aisha Musa Kidah, said a nation will not be industrialized unless it gives maximum support and attention to human capacity building through skill acquisition and trade.

Her words: “Let me hasten to explain that both groups of participants pass out together because they are inseparable for two reasons. First, it is the resources we generated by training determined and self-sponsored participants that we used to provide IDPs with this training.

The willingness to undergo training, drive and determination demonstrated by both groups during the program better explains the need for government at all levels to draw attention to this industry in response to the frequent discussions on unemployment in this country, Nigeria.
“Mr. Speaker, we promise to reach as many young people as possible if the government gives us support and encouragement in the fight against poverty and unemployment in this state and across the country.”