Friday, July 17, 2026

Benue govt. trains 14,942 women, youth in 40 skills programmes

Mr Asemakaha said particular attention would be given to youths and women venturing into entrepreneurship.

• November 30, 2025
Benue state government logo
Benue state government logo(Photo Credit:X)

The Benue government, on Saturday, graduated 14,942 women and youth in 40 skills acquisition programmes in Makurdi Local Government Area.

The skills, divided across seven major departments, included painting, cosmetology, Ankara design, organic fertiliser production, makeup artistry, shoemaking, catering, and others.

6,000 graduands who are part of the 14,942 women and youth who have been trained across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state received their training at the Aper Aku Stadium for two weeks before graduation.

Speaking at the occasion, the group managing director (GMD) of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Raymond Asemakaha, revealed that the company, in conjunction with the state government, would establish a business fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Mr Asemakaha said particular attention would be given to youths and women venturing into entrepreneurship.

The GMD said empowering the beneficiaries to transform their skills into thriving businesses would stimulate Benue’s economic growth.

He further urged the state government to enact business-friendly laws that would enable young entrepreneurs to access larger markets and strengthen SME development across Benue.

“We want to domesticate the start-up law that has been in existence. We want to bring it up so that our people will benefit from it to start up their businesses and explore.

“We are working to domesticate the start-up loan; it has already been done at the federal level, and by next week, we will sign the law so that you will have the seed capital.

“One of the major problems we have in the state is that people don’t have seed capital, which is the major thing. When the law is established in the state, we should be able to give the start-up capital for our teeming youth.

“The governor has thought that the best thing to do is to invest in human capital; that’s why he has put the training together for us to reengineer and redirect the economy and train these persons, not just in the theoretical aspect but also the practical aspects,” he said.

Emmanuel Iorbee, the principal senior assistant (PSA) to the governor on protocol and wardrobe and the organiser of the skills acquisition programme, said Gov. Hyacinth Alia directed him to “go and make it happen.”

“So far, we have trained over 14,000 Benue women and youth with entrepreneurial skills. Today, we have about 6,000 women and youth trained in Makurdi LG alone, who we have come to graduate, and we see how we can empower them to go and have something to do.

“We were able to put up about 40 skills for them to learn, including shoemaking, bag making, oil and spray perfume, beverages, detergent making, soap making, and lots more.

“And what we are doing here today is that we are sharing with them the vision of the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. The message we are giving them is, “Don’t be a youth on the street; be a youth with something doing,” he said with emphasis.

On his part, Terver Gbenda, the senior special assistant (SSA) to the governor on youth organisations and illegal levies, said his office supported the programme by sponsoring the 6,000 women and youth who graduated from the programme on Saturday.

He explained that his office drew participants for the training through advertorials, online ads, and group announcements.

Mr Gbenda further observed that the programme has taken a lot of women and youth off the streets, adding that the majority of the beneficiaries needed little support to kick-start their businesses.

Chairman of the occasion, Michael Ogleba, commissioner for finance, assured them of government support.

He advised that all they need to do is to work hard, through honest labour, stressing that what they have learnt will be with them for life.

Representatives of the graduands expressed their appreciation to the governor, facilitators, and organisers of the training.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Scene of the incident

Africa

Eleven children killed, 19 injured in Algeria orphanage fire

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the tragedy as a huge loss. 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State

Heading 2

Kano empowers 1,900 butchers, to establish cottage industry hubs

He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget. 

IG Olatunji Disu

Heading 3

2027 Elections: Police commence recovery of illegal arms nationwide

Mr Kokumo said the centre had destroyed more than 16,000 unserviceable weapons since its inception.

FRSC personnel on highway

Heading 5

Court restrains FRSC from operating on Kano township roads

Mr Hikima sued the commission for unnecessarily stopping, searching and questioning him and other motorists. 

President Donald Trump

Heading 5

White House teleprompter operator rakes in over $100,000 betting on Trump’s speeches: Report

Investigators discovered Mr Perez placed bets on more than a dozen of Mr Trump’s speeches over a three-month period. 

Hot news Home top

Kidnapped Kogi school principal, NECO official, students regain freedom

Gunmen, on Tuesday, abducted a principal, NECO official and students during exam in Kogi school.