•Nentawe Yilwatda and Uba Sani
Federal government, at the weekend, expressed its resolve to collaborate with the Kaduna State Government on the provision of skill acquisition and reintegration programme for the pardoned minors of #EndBadGovernance protest.
Recall that the released minors and youths of the #EndBadGovernance were handed over to the state governments in December 2024 in Abuja by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, reports Nigerian Tribune.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Professor Nentawe Yilwatda gave the assurance during his follow-up visit to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna on the current status of the minors.
Yilwatda said: “We are not just handing them their freedom, we are giving them a chance to build their future where their potentials are fully realised through vocational training and provision of starter packs.”
While commending the governor for his swift and compassionate leadership to ensure that the young ones are not only reunited with their families but also given counseling, education, and skills, Yilwatda assured that “none of them will work out of the process with regrets. Their tomorrow will be better than their yesterday.
“Your leadership in Kaduna State aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Renewed Hope Agenda and your administration’s dedication to security, education, inclusivity and empowerment is commendable.”
The minister also applauded UNICEF and other Development Partners who have stood firmly to support the children, noting that their contribution in providing psychosocial support, vocational training, and educational reintegration programme has lasting impact on their lives.
He also congratulated Governor Sani on the recent approval by Federal Executive Council over provision of additional barracks at Federal University of Technology, Kachia to provide security and Federal Medical Center in the state.
The minister assured that President Tinubu is making all efforts to strengthen security and ensure that Nigerians are safe.
In his remarks, Governor Sani Uba stated that the minors and youths that were received in 2024 by the State government, have received psychosocial therapy from highly respected team under the leadership of the deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe who is a medical doctor.
He added that the children are being supported in School, businesses and trying to reintegrate them by giving them skills at the three major skills acquisition centers in the State.
Governor Sani said the state is ready to partner with the ministry in providing skills for the youths and in the area of including the vulnerable in the rural areas in the social register by providing them with financial inclusion.
He said so far the State has open accounts for 2.2 million vulnerable persons across the state but their target is 3.5 million.
