Zulum Empowers 2,970 Youths with ₦2bn Starter Packs in Borno
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has empowered 2,970 youths who completed intensive vocational skills training across the state, with the distribution of starter packs and business kits valued at ₦2.05 billion. The empowerment exercise took place at the Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute in Maiduguri and was aimed at supporting the beneficiaries to establish their own enterprises and achieve economic self-reliance.
By Abubakar Mala Gajibo
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has empowered 2,970 youths who completed intensive vocational skills training across the state, with the distribution of starter packs and business kits valued at ₦2.05 billion.
The empowerment exercise took place at the Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute in Maiduguri and was aimed at supporting the beneficiaries to establish their own enterprises and achieve economic self-reliance.
The beneficiaries were drawn from nine modern vocational training institutes established by the Borno State Government. The centres provide training in high-demand areas including information technology, plumbing, construction, tailoring, welding and other artisan trades.
Governor Zulum, while addressing the occasion, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly those affected by more than a decade of insurgency in the state.
He noted that the disruption of livelihoods and increase in unemployment made it imperative for government to introduce sustainable interventions targeted at restoring dignity, creating opportunities and rebuilding productive capacity among citizens.
The governor recalled that since 2019, five vocational enterprises institutes and several smaller centres had been established across the state.
According to him, the Borno State Government has established vocational enterprises institutes in Muna, Mafa, Biu, Shani and Magumeri, while nine vocational training centres and three second-chance skills and entrepreneurship schools dedicated to women and girls have also been reactivated.
Governor Zulum further disclosed that over ₦40 billion has been invested by the state government in the establishment, rehabilitation and equipping of vocational enterprises institutes, vocational training centres and technical colleges across Borno State.
He explained that the investment is targeted at reducing the number of out-of-school youths, promoting self-reliance and developing a skilled workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to both the state and national economy through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, stated that the vocational training programme was initiated as part of the administration’s broader agenda to promote self-reliance, restore dignity and rebuild livelihoods, especially among conflict-affected youths, women and other vulnerable members of society.
The event was attended by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Bugaje; Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Mohammed Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan; the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; the Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
