*Vice-President Kashim Shettima, GCON, flags-off a nationwide community empowerment programme in science, technology, skills acquisition and renewable energy for youth and women in Kano, Northern Nigeria
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, GCON, has flagged-off a nationwide community empowerment programme in science, technology, skills acquisition and renewable energy for youth and women in Kano, Northern Nigeria.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), championed the community empowerment programme in Kano State.
The programme which commenced Saturday, July 27, 2026, would see over 160 participants trained in solar installation and maintenance, mobile phone hardware repairs, electrical appliances and electronics repairs and maintenance across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Vice-President Shettima represented by Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, Personal Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Subnational Infrastructure, Office of the Vice-President, applauded NASENI for implementing one of the key priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda which focuses on job creation and equipping Nigerians with entrepreneurial skills.
Shettima said: “Today, NASENI is opening one of those doors. And I want you—every young person in this room—to walk through it with everything you have.
“To the young men and women here today— Learn. And apply what you’ve learnt.
“The government is not doing you a favour. It is making an investment—in you—because it believes the return is worth it. Do not prove that belief wrong.”
Speaking at the event, Senator George Akume CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), represented by Dr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Director, General Services Office, said the programmes were designed to promote innovations for human capital development, engender inclusive economic growth leveraging technology driven intervention, equip women and youth with relevant skills, and to expand entrepreneurship opportunities through digital learning.
Senator Akume, who re-emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to job creation and skills acquisition, also commended the agency for the laudable initiative.
The SGF pledged to give all the necessary support for any programmes designed in advancing Nigerian youths through innovations and entrepreneurship, for a knowledge-driven economy.
He further urged the participants to use the potential benefits of this acquisition training programmes to improve their lives, reduce redundancy and ultimately improve their standard of living.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NASENI, said participants would receive practical training in renewable energy, welding and fabrication, mobile phone hardware repairs, food processing and packaging, and other skills that respond to today’s economy.
NASENI is also supporting schools with laptops and STEM innovation kits because innovation starts early.
Halilu stated: “We must encourage our children to become creators of technology, not just consumers of it.
“To our beneficiaries, I have a simple message. Take this opportunity seriously, the future belongs to people with skills.
“The knowledge you gain here can create businesses, support families, employ others, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.”
Goodwill messages came from the Kano State Governor, Abba Ibrahim represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Yusuf Ismaila Danmaraya; Chairman, Nigerian Commodity Exchange, Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar; National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Alhajji Hamza Ibrahim Baba; Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano, Hon. Sa’adatu Salisu Yusha’u; and Dr. Gwani Farouk.Umar, Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, Kano.