The Federal Government has trained 177 youths in Kano on smart phone repairs to address youth unemployment.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, made this known at the closing ceremony of the N-Skill Training on Smartphone repairs and services on Wednesday in Kano.

The minister said that N-Skill Programme was based on a certification system and an accreditation of practical training provided through the informal training system.

According to her, each of the 177 beneficiaries will go home with rework soldering station (Soldering Iron), Digital multimeter, a set of precision screwdrivers, repair tool kit and magnifying lamp.

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Farouq said the programme was a demonstration of President Buhari’s efforts at addressing youth unemployment.

She explained that the programme was a clear demonstration of the commitment to collectively address youth unemployment in line with President Buhari’s efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

Represented by Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment, Dr Nasir Mahmoud, explained that the programme accommodated many skills-based enterprises.

She noted that the graduate and non-graduate components of the N-Power programme had been expanded to provide job opportunities for 16,629 unemployed youths in Kano state under the Batch C.

The minister added that this followed the successfully exiting of 18, 042 youths under Batches A and B

“The Federal Government is investing over N5.9 billion for the training, tooling and/or payment of monthly stipends on the Batch C beneficiaries. This is a tremendous direct injection of resources at the grassroots and in the hands of youths,” she added.

She said that smart phone repairs was used to pilot the programme under the N-Power non-graduate component as it was targeted at “lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.”

“You have acquired life-long skills that will help you to develop an entrepreneurial understanding of the trade; be responsible citizens, take decision and effectively manage interpersonal relationships.

“Understand theoretical aspects of smart phone repairs and gain practical experience of basic smart phone repairs techniques.

“Acquire knowledge and skills required to successfully start the smart phone repairs business and effectively manage it.

“I am very confident that your participation in the programme has changed your orientation and prepared you to optimize employment opportunities in the smart phone repairs and service market,” she said.

According to her, the beneficiaries will be attached directly to Master Craft Persons (MCPs) in the trade for a six-month apprenticeship.

She noted that the MCPs are masters of smart phone repairs who were also trained and certified by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

According to her, in the six-month attachment period, your performance will be assessed and examined by the NBTE and the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).

The minister said this would lead to the issuance of NBTE certificates to those that met the minimum requirements, urging them to work hard to meet the requirements.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Gwarzo, said that the training would prepare them to optimise employment opportunities in the smart phone repairs and service market.

Represented by Special Adviser to the Minister, Hashim Abubakar, he urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the NSIP, humanitarian ministry and the Federal Government.

Mr Baba Zubairu, the Kano state Focal Person, NSIP urged the beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs, thereby creating jobs for the people.

One of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Abubakar, thanked the president for giving them the opportunity to participate in the programme.

He promised to use the starter pack for the purpose it was intended and pledged to share the knowledge with orders.