The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has trained 1,127 youths and women in Plateau on agricultural technology, automobile, confectionary, tailoring, among others.

Speaking at the closing of the training on Tuesday in Kuru, near Jos, Mary Fom, the coordinator of the Social Investment Programme in Plateau, said the gesture aimed to empower young people with skills.

Ms Fom, who said that the beneficiaries were also trained in cooking and catering, masonry, grinding, and vulcanising, added that the gesture aimed to address poverty in the country.

The coordinator explained that the exercise, tagged ‘Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training’, was organised through the National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA).

Ms Fom said that the beneficiaries completed a two-week intensive training across seven centres in the state and received starter packs and cash.

The coordinator also advised the beneficiaries to train other members of their immediate communities, adding that such a move would ensure proper expansion of the government’s economic drive.

Samuel Jatau, the secretary to the state government, called on the beneficiaries to put the knowledge gained into practical use.

Mr Jatau warned the beneficiaries against selling the starter packs given to them. He said that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration would continually initiate policies and programmes aimed at moving Plateau citizens out of poverty.

(NAN)