No fewer than 720 adolescent boys and girls on Wednesday graduated from a vocational training programme in shoe and bag making in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office and Eleva Foundation.
The Director, NOA, Kaduna State Directorate, Mr Danjuma Makama, said the programme, conducted over a period of two months, was designed to equip out-of-school adolescents with skills necessary for survival, growth, and development.
Makama, disclosed that the agency had earlier trained 50 community leaders from five LGAs on strengthening community structures to provide child protection services at the community level.
As a follow-up, he said that NOA selected Anguwan Juma community in Zaria LGA to conduct the training of the 720 young girls and boys.
According to him, the agency also plans to add the names of the trained young boys and girls to the social register of Kaduna State and enroll them in schools.
Makama expressed gratitude to UNICEF for funding the project and the host community for embracing the intervention.
He also commended the governance team of eight selected community leaders for their outstanding performance.
The director, however, appealed to the Kaduna State Government and other NGOs to support the trained young boys and girls with starter packs or set up shops for them to continue with their newfound skills.
UNICEF Chief Of Field Office, Dr Gerida Birukila, said that the programme was designed to equip out-of-school adolescents with skills necessary to escape vulnerabilities and improve their lives.
Birukila, represented by Dr Wilfred Mamah, Child Protection Specialist, said a survey carried out by UNICEF in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government in 2022 revealed that over 300,000 adolescent girls and Almajiris were in dire need of protection.
She emphasised that the programme aimed to address the challenge by providing skills training to vulnerable children.
Birukila believed that empowering children with skills was key to breaking the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
She restated their unwavering commitment to protecting children’s rights and promoting their welfare.
The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its support in providing opportunities for young people, particularly in areas like professional infrastructure.
He highlighted UNICEF’s ongoing importance in their communities and expressed hope for continued support for youths development.
NAN also reports that the 720 graduates compromised 360 boys who were trained on shoe making, while 360 girls were trained on bag making, where certificates were issued to the best trainees.
The graduands were also given starter packs which included sewing machines, among other tools to start up their various businesses.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)