Sokoto — The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) has given permanent employment to 70 people from its host communities, and trained 80 youths in various skills under a partnership programme with the state's Ministry of Social Welfare.

Managing Director/ CEO of the company, Mr.Alf Karlsen, who disclosed this weekend at the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries of the skills acquisition programme, said the gestures were aimed at maintaining the existing cordial relationship with their host communities.

He said the company started the programme in 2010 with 40 youths. Mr. Karlsen expressed optimism that the new partnership with the Sokoto Works School would generate capacity building for the youths, not only to be self employed, but also to be engaged in the future by the company.

He appealed to the host communities and the beneficiaries of the programme to ensure that they make utmost use of the knowledge they acquire in the development of the communities.

"CCNN on its part will continue to provide all the support for capacity building within the communities. We will also institute an evaluation process through the community relation committee to ensure that the beneficiaries utilize the working materials donated to them by the company," he said.

In his remarks, district head of Gunbi, Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto, Alhaji Samaila Abdulkadir, commended the company for the skills acquisition programme, and urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they set up businesses and become self reliant.