Gov Nwifuru doles out N2m each to 500 hawkers of Ebonyi extraction

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has offered a sum of N2 million each to 500 entrepreneurs who are into street hawking in different parts of the country as part of steps to improve the human empowerment of the people.

Nwifuru gave the money to the beneficiaries at the flagging off of the first batch of the state skills acquisition programme on Tuesday at the Ochiudo Centenary City Secretariat, Abakaliki.

The governor assured that his administration was ready to tackle the menace of unemployment and empower the people across the 13 local government areas of the state.

He called for an urgent need for skills acquisition, noting that the state centre for skills development was open for people to learn.

“It is very necessary to help our youth grow. We have created a skill acquisition development centre for our youth to learn in order to be able to put food on their tables.

“On this note, let me do justice to what we are here for today. I, therefore, flag off the skill acquisition programme in the state in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen,” he added.

Mr. Offia Nwali, the state commissioner for commerce and industry, said the beneficiaries, who are currently undergoing training in different skills, were into hawking in different parts of the country.

“The programme targeted 1,500 Ebonyi indigenes, but we are starting today with 500 for the first batch. So, we are doing it batch by batch.

“The beneficiaries have started receiving their money, and the governor has asked anybody who did not get the alert to call him on the phone, beginning today, Tuesday.”