NAN-H-18
NGO
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 11, 2017 (NAN) A Lagos-based NGO, Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi (AAA) Foundation, says it has trained 6,465 youths and women in different skills and empowered them to become self-reliant.
Hajiya Adama Shehu-Aliyu, its Northern Coordinator, disclosed this on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State, at a seminar for youth and women organised by the foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar had the theme “Touching Lives”.
“We trained 6,465 youths and women and provided them with equipment to start off their businesses in the last three years; we are happy to say that a lot of them are doing very well,” she said.
The coordinator identified some of the trades to include soap, bag, POP and shoe making, tailoring and computer training.
She said that the foundation was focused on reducing abject poverty and adding value to the lives of vulnerable and indigent Nigerians through planned initiatives and well coordinated interventions.
“The principal goal is to provide practical solutions and bring relief to these forgotten groups.
“Our vision is to create an enabling environment where the potential and creative energies of these groups can be fully and effectively harnessed to give them a sense of belonging,” she said.
According to her, in a bid to touch more lives, the AAA Foundation is planning more robust training programmes for next year.
She enumerated programmes being planned for next year to include automobile mechanic training, hair dressing and baking.
In her speech, Kaduna women affairs commissioner Rabi Abdussalam applauded the efforts of the group and called for the sustenance of the gesture.
The commissioner, who was represented by Hajiya Sa’adatu Mahmud, a director in the ministry, said that the foundation was helping the ministry.
“Actually, what you are doing is our responsibility; this is part of our mandate. As a ministry, we must appreciate your efforts and encourage you to do more,” she said.
The Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, represented by Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu, Bijimin Arewan Zazzau, thanked the AAA Foundation for choosing people from his domain as beneficiaries of its programmes in the north.
NAN reports that the seminar drew participants from selected secondary schools, government organisations, NGOs and private individuals. (NAN)
KLM/ETS
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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin