From Abdullahi Idris,Dutse
Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi has inaugurated the Micro Retailers Empowerment Initiative with the commissioning of 300 micro retail shops for distribution across the state.
Speaking at the event held in Dutse, Governor Namadi described the initiative as a key factor in his administration’s youth empowerment drive.
The initiative was first introduced in July by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the fourth Expanded National MSME Clinic in Jigawa State, in which 50 prototype retail shops were showcased, with a promise to scale up to 300 units.
Each kiosk comes pre-stocked with essential commodities, serving as seed capital for the beneficiaries to launch their retail businesses.
Stressing the transformative potentials of the programme, the governor said “each of these youths now have the opportunity to own and grow a retail shop to become a much bigger business enterprise and gradually transform them from micro retailers to big-time businessmen,” adding that beneficiaries would also receive training in basic business skills to ensure that they can effectively manage their enterprises.
He also highlighted his administration’s commitment to economic empowerment, pointing to several initiatives that have benefited over 200,000 individuals in the last 18 months.
These include programmes focused on women’s enterprises, small and medium-scale business grants and microcredit schemes.
He reassured Jigawa youths of his continued dedication to their development.
As part of the administration’s future plans, the proposed 2025 state budget includes a provision of over N7 billion for business cooperatives, skills development, micro-credit support and other youth-focused initiatives.
