By Dare Akogun
The National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission has stated that it has spent about 255 million naira to train 800 youths in Kwara State across 32 trade areas.
The Commission’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa, made this known during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on the progress of the youth transformation program held in Ilorin.
He said the program is aimed at transforming the lives of young people in Kwara State by equipping them with skills and resources to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
Represented by Dr. Mahmood Umar, Director of the Directorate of Community and Rural Development, Yelwa stated that the meeting was aimed at providing updates and raising awareness about the program’s progress.
He addressed rumors regarding the diversion of starter packs meant for beneficiaries, clarifying that the Commission is making all necessary arrangements for the graduation ceremony and distribution of starter packs, which will be conducted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in August in batches.
Yelwa also revealed that the Commission has paid for the registration of business names for the beneficiaries, preparing them to become employers of labor.
“We are hopeful that, based on our agreement with contractors, we will be able to deliver these items to the beneficiaries in time for the flag-off,” he said.
Additionally, Yelwa mentioned that measures have been implemented to prevent the sale of the starter packs by branding them as “not for sale.”
Beneficiaries are required to fill out guarantor forms to ensure compliance, and a monitoring committee has been established to oversee the beneficiaries after graduation.
