By Gami Tadanyigbe
The Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, has officially flagged off the Kuje Area Council Skills Acquisition Training Programme as part of his administration’s strategic efforts to combat unemployment, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic empowerment across the Area Council.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Hon. Shekwolo described the initiative as a transformative intervention aimed at equipping residents with practical skills for self-reliance, wealth creation, and improved livelihoods.
He noted that the programme goes beyond vocational training, describing it as “a beacon of hope, empowerment, and opportunity” for youths and women seeking to build sustainable means of livelihood.
The Chairman acknowledged that unemployment and poverty remain major socio-economic challenges confronting many communities, particularly among young people and women.
He stressed that government alone cannot provide white-collar jobs for every citizen, making vocational and entrepreneurial development an essential pathway to economic growth and self-sufficiency.
According to him, the Council has adopted a practical and people-oriented approach by investing in market-driven skills acquisition that will enable beneficiaries to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.
“The objective of this programme is to equip our people with relevant vocational skills that will empower them to earn sustainable incomes, establish viable businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of Kuje Area Council,” he said.
Hon. Shekwolo disclosed that the first phase of the programme covers a wide range of vocational disciplines, including Fashion Design and Tailoring, Catering and Confectionery, Hair Dressing and Beauty Therapy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Phone Repairs and Computer Maintenance, Painting, POP Installation and Tiling, as well as Agriculture and Agro-processing.
He further announced that upon successful completion of the training, every graduate will receive starter packs and relevant working tools to enable them establish their own businesses immediately, thereby ensuring that the knowledge acquired translates into tangible economic opportunities.
The Chairman assured participants that the Council’s commitment extends beyond the training period, noting that his administration remains focused on creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and sustainable economic prosperity.
He urged all beneficiaries to remain committed, disciplined, and dedicated throughout the training, expressing confidence that the programme would produce skilled entrepreneurs capable of creating employment opportunities, stimulating local economic activities, and improving the standard of living of residents across the Area Council.
The Kuje Area Council Skills Acquisition Programme is one of the flagship empowerment initiatives of the Shekwolo administration, designed to promote inclusive economic growth, youth and women empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustainable community development in line with the administration’s people-centred agenda.
Signed:
Nimrod V. Koce
Divisional Head
Information & Public Relations
Kuje Area Council
