Speaker empowers 400 youth,women

The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji

Marafa said at the ceremony in Minna that the gesture was in fulfilment of his campaign promises.

According to him, 250 of those supported are students, 50 petty traders and 100 others who were earlier trained in different skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the beneficiaries were given cash, motorcycles and start-up business packs.

Marafa pledged to support youth in the area willing to pursue their educational carrier, adding, ``no amount of money and efforts spent on education is a waste.''

``For the women whose businesses were put on hold because of lack of fund, they have also received little token to assist them continue with their business", he added.

In his remarks, Gov. Abubakar Bello called on wealthy individuals in the state to initiate projects for the betterment of their communities.

He enjoined the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity in order to be self-reliant.

“I call on you today as youths to make use of every opportunity to develop yourselves.

``Stop waiting for political appointment from government; appointing youths as special assistants is not a way forward in our country.

``Government alone cannot provide jobs for you, therefore, I challenge you to take the bull by the horn to become self-reliant," he said.

Hajiya Salamatu Umar, a beneficiary told NAN that she would use the money donated by the speaker to reopen her shop which was closed down due to lack of capital.

Another beneficiary, Abubakar Hassan, said he would use the money to pay school fees and continue with his studies.