Danjuma Michael
30 December 2008
Lagos — The youths form an integral part of the society and any human society that wants progress normally invests in them. This truism has prompted some stakeholders in Kankia council area of Katsina State into taking actions that would impact the youth. Already, meaningful investments have been made in the education sector and projects are being executed to boost school enrollment. They then made deliberations from two angles.
First, they reasoned that their youths needed a place where they could go to acquire vocational skills that would benefit them in the event job opportunities do not reach them as at when due. So they decided to have a centre where youths could be trained on several vocations with necessary facilities put in place.
That it should be located within the council area for easy access and modalities should be put in place to encourage as well as help them establish small scale businesses with free interest loans given them after completion to be paid back in instalments.
Part of the deliberation among other things led to the establishment of the multi million- naira Shema Youth Empowerment Centre. To reduce undue wastage of existing structures in the council, it was decided that the former political office building, erected during the National Republican Congress (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era, be renovated and converted into the vocational centre.
The centre has several equipment ranging from wielding, tailoring, computer, and carpentry tools among others. It is divided into several sections with a classroom, where instructions on the theoretical aspects are given, while others are arranged for practical purposes where machines and other equipment are placed for use.
According to the council chairman, Alhaji Bashir Baba Kaita, 140 youths would be trained at first instance, and would be made to use uniforms and safety paraphernalia. He said the computer section would help the youths get necessary training in order to compete favourably in the ever- increasing information age, and that 20 apprentices would be allocated to each section.
After training, Kaita said they would be supported through a microfinance scheme, a measure initiated by the political class, including those representing the area at the federal level, which is to the tune of N30 million. He said the money was ready and would be loaned soon as the youths complete their vocational studies.
As at going to press, most of the equipment have been supplied and placed in relevant halls where training is to commence. Several structures are still being put in place for expansion purpose while the first batch is to begin training within the shortest possible time. Some of the youths, who spoke to THISDAY expressed appreciation on efforts to better their living standard by the council chairman.
The political stakeholders then reasoned that all work and no play could make youths restless and often, irresponsible. They argued that entertainment of various sorts could help them ease up after the day's learning and hard work, and that the issue of security in the area could be addressed to an extent when the youths have something to do with their time.
But they noticed that some of the entertainment centres were either too small, scattered and were owned by private individuals who may not always have time and resource to keep them open at all times. So they decided to do something about it, and the Shema Sports Complex was birthed.
The complex which is at its completion stage is located in the heart of the council area, with a television (DSTV) viewing centre and two squash courts. Plans are to also equip the place with table tennis and billiard boards. About 10 shops and ticket rooms are presently being constructed to accommodate for eateries and other necessities.
Kaita said on completion, management of the sport complex would be a public-private partnership affair, to be managed by private persons while part of the proceeds would go to the council's coffers. He said that a section of the complex would also be prepared for some of the political class to come and wind up after work.
The council chairman who spoke enthusiastically about the project, assured youths in the area that necessary measures were being put in place to ensure that they get their due attention from his administration to make them become better people within the society. He said youths are the leaders of tomorrow and no sacrifice was too much to make in order to make them attain greater heights in life.
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