Sani Dutsinma
The Kebbi State Government says it has registered 755 youth groups across the state in the last three years as part of efforts to promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment among young people.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Nuradden Bala Fingilla, disclosed this during a ministerial press briefing held at the new State Secretariat Complex in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the state government remains committed to empowering youths through structured training programmes, skills acquisition initiatives, and awareness campaigns aimed at addressing social challenges affecting young people.
According to him, various youth groups comprising both males and females have been trained in different vocational and entrepreneurial skills, while also being sensitised on the dangers of drug abuse, political thuggery, and the need for peaceful conflict resolution between farmers and herders across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Fingilla explained that the government has constructed four skills acquisition centres located in Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru Emirates. He said the centres serve as training hubs and transit facilities for unemployed youths undergoing vocational development.
He added that the State Youth Council has also been fully implemented as part of broader efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance and development programmes.
At the training centres, youths are equipped with practical skills in areas such as cosmetics production, dyeing, tailoring, solar installation, computer and mobile phone repairs, hairdressing, and food-related enterprises including popcorn production.
On sports development, the commissioner said Kebbi State has continued to record notable participation and performance in local, national, and international sporting activities, including traditional sports.
He disclosed that the state achieved significant success at the recently concluded National Sports Festival, where it ranked fifth nationally and second in Northern Nigeria.
Fingilla further stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has also made progress in infrastructure development, including the successful completion and handover of the FIFA Goal Project to the state government.
He also highlighted the renovation of facilities at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Dakin Gari and Basaura, which include a female hostel, clinic, mosque, toilets, borehole, a KVA transformer, and solar power systems.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining youth empowerment programmes, improving sports development, and expanding opportunities for young people across Kebbi State.