Kogi State Government says it’s policies and programmes are aimed at lifting people out of poverty to become self reliant.

Governor Yahaya Bello stated this at the graduation of nineteen youths trained in fashion designing under Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation, PAAYEF, at the Government House, Lokoja.

Governor Bello said that the government would continue to touch the lives of it’s citizens positively through empowerment schemes and provision of basic amenities.

He commended his Chief of Staff, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku and other government officials that have initiated empowerment programmes across the State, urging them to sustain the tempo.

While congratulating the beneficiaries on the successful completion of their training, Governor Bello charged them to make profitable use of the acquired skills, train others and contribute thier quota to the development of their families and society.

While advising the beneficiaries to enroll into BelloCares health programme, he approved the sum of five hundred thousand naira as Start up capital for them

Founder of PAAYEF and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku said the 19 young ladies were randomly selected from across the State and in the last eight months acquired tailoring skills with a view to making then independent.

Pharmacist Asuku said his initiative at lifting people out of poverty followed that of his Boss, Governor Yahaya Bello whose programmes and policies were all targeted at youths, women the vulnerable in the society as well as the elderly.

He said such policy would be be sustained under PAAYEF to create a society of self reliant youths empowered to become successful in life.

While expressing appreciation to the Governor and other appiontees got thier support to the success of the empowerment programme, the COS announced financial assistance for the trainees.

Focal person of PAAYEF and Senior Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Sandra Musa said the foundation has put smiles on the faces of the graduands by equipping them with skills to face the future.

She thanked those who supported the Foundation in executing it’s programmes and the owner of Yem Fashion, Lokoja for imparting knowledge on the ladies.

Trainer and Chief Executive of Yem Fashion Lokoja, Mrs Opeyemi Alonge, thanked the founder of PAAYEF for providing an avenue for Youths to be meaningfully engaged, describing him as a dependable ally to the youths.

Responding on behalf of the nineteen beneficiaries, Echi Grace, appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello and Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku for thier love for Youths and creating an enabling environment for them to be trained and empowered.

Highlights of the programme was drama presentation by the beneficiaries, presentation of cheques and sewing machines.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku through PAAYEF has continued to put smiles on the faces of the people of the State which has empowered many youths, the less privileged in the society, women groups and associations amongst others.