Zamfara skills acquisition programme trains 4, 600 youths
From ABBA ABUBAKARA KABARA, Gusau

ZAMFARA state skills acquisition programme has so far recruited and trained 4,600 youths in its second phase as against the1,400 trained in the first phase. The figures represent over 400 per cent rise.
The chief consultant of the programme, Arch. A.A. Gusau who disclosed this to newsmen, further explained that in order to expand the project to reach larger number of youth, five additional centres were established under the second phase at Maru, Bungudu, Bukkugum, Birnin Magaji and Zurmi local governments to accommodate the additional intake.
Arch Gusau also explained that the centre has increased the number of courses/trades offered from the initial ones in the first phase to 40, which were spread among the 15 centres across the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the stakeholders‘ persistent commitment, at both the state and the 14 local governments, to maintaining uninterrupted financial flow towards sustaining the programme.
Arch Gusau said in the proposal for phase one earmarked for 2005/06, the state government had approved an intake of 10,000 youths into the skills acquisition programme as against the 4,600 of 2005 who would be completing their training in March this year.
He also disclosed that a provision had been made in the 2006 budget of the sum of N240m for granting a micro-credit to graduands of the programme.
To achieve this, he said, three more centres are being established with more trade courses added.
Speaking about the problems being faced by the centres, the chief consultant expressed disappointment with the attitude of some participants who often default shun attendance.
He observed that as most of the intakes are political errands of many politicians, some of them shun classes to follow their political mentors on campaign tours at the detriment of their trainings.
Arch. Gusau however, explained that strategies are in the pipeline to address the situation.