Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State, on Thursday,  distributed empowerment tools to 1,900 butchers under the Cottage Trade and Street Hawking Agency.

The governor, during the event, disclosed that the state had put modalities in place to establish cottage industry and enterprise hubs for butchers across strategic locations in the state.

He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget, adding that the groundwork had been concluded and implementation would commence soon.

According to him, the cottage hubs will include dedicated sections for butchers, meat processing activities, leather processing, and tannery operations, thereby creating a value chain where livestock products are fully utilised for maximum economic benefit.

He said the cottage hubs are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to promote made-in-Nigeria products.

Mr Kabir-Yusuf said: “This administration has already made provision in the 2026 approved budget for the establishment of cottage industry and enterprise hubs across strategic locations in the state.

“I, therefore, wish to inform you that the necessary groundwork has been concluded and implementation will commence very soon.”

According to him, these cottage hubs are in line with Mr Tinubu’s agenda to promote made-in-Nigeria products.

“They are designed to also become centres of production, innovation, and tannery.

“These cottage hubs shall include dedicated sections for butchers, meat processing activities, leather processing, and tannery operations, thereby creating an integrated value chain where livestock products are fully utilised for maximum economic benefit.

“This initiative will also enhance your businesses directly and generate thousands of additional employment opportunities for young people engaged in meat processing, leather works, hides and skin, transportation, and other allied industries,” he said.

The governor said the empowerment marks yet another significant milestone in the administration’s collective resolve to build a stronger economy and improve the livelihoods of the people of the state.

According to Mr Kabir-Yusuf, the butchering trade occupies a unique and indispensable position in Kano State.

“It supports thousands of households, strengthens our economy, contributes immensely to food security, and provides raw materials for several allied industries, particularly our leather and tannery sector.

“It is, therefore, only proper that government deliberately and consistently invests in improving our trade and, by extension, our welfare.

“Our objective is clear and unwavering: to formalise the informal economy, strengthen local production, increase household income, and position Kano as the leading centre of enterprise and industrial development in Nigeria.

“I, therefore, would like to use this opportunity to urge you to make the most judicious use of the support being provided today. Let these tools improve your businesses, increase your earnings, and strengthen your welfare and that of your family,” he said.

He charged the butchers to continue to conduct their trade responsibly and uphold the highest standards of hygiene and professionalism.

He advised them to encourage their colleagues who had not yet registered to do so in order to benefit from the interventions that lie ahead.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Cottage Trade and Street Hawking Agency, Khalifa Bichi, said Mr Kabir-Yusuf administration’s commitment to strengthening small businesses, reducing unemployment, and expanding economic opportunities at the grassroots was demonstrated by the empowerment.

He said the agency has successfully undertaken the registration, documentation, and profiling of over 400,000 petty traders, artisans, and street hawkers across the state.

He added that more empowerment initiatives were underway for other categories of artisans, traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs across the state. 

(NAN)