By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar
Katsina | Katsina Times
December 30, 2025
The Katsina State Agency for Mass Education has concluded its 2025 vocational and skills acquisition programme, graduating 200 male and female participants drawn from the state’s 34 local government areas and providing them with start-up grants to enhance self-reliance.
The three-week programme was aimed at strengthening adult education and empowering out-of-school youths and adults through practical vocational training and basic entrepreneurship skills.
The graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Agency’s headquarters in Kofar Durbi, Katsina. Registration for the programme commenced on December 9, with priority given to youths, women and adults without access to formal Western education.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Agency for Mass Education, Hajiya Bilkisu Mohammad Kaikai, described the initiative as a major opportunity provided by Governor Dikko Umar Radda to equip parents, youths and women above the age of 18 with marketable skills.
She said the beneficiaries were trained in trades of their choice, including shoe making, production of incense and spray perfumes, cosmetics and body creams, tailoring of women’s garments and hijabs, bedsheet production, liquid soap making and other income-generating skills.
Hajiya Bilkisu commended the commitment of the trainees and instructors, noting that their dedication contributed significantly to the success of the programme. She also disclosed plans to expand the initiative to all zones of the state.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Programme Consultant, Dr. Chucks Okehie, praised Governor Radda for his commitment to improving the welfare of the people, describing the programme as a model intervention. He noted that about 80 per cent of the participants were youths, adding that some trainees invested their transport stipends in tools to begin their trades even before the programme ended.
Representing the Governor, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, described the programme as a foundation for sustainable development.
“No society can develop without education and job creation. This programme integrates both,” he said.
Governor Radda, through his representative, reiterated his administration’s commitment to human capital development and economic growth, assuring that the programme would be expanded to all local government areas.
At the ceremony, each graduate received a certificate of completion, a ₦30,000 cash grant and a special work access card (VISA). Outstanding participants were also registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), issued Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) and enrolled with the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) to access interest-free loans and other opportunities.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the District Head of Kuraye, Alhaji Usman Darda’u Kuraye; the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar; senior government officials, representatives of SUBEB and KASEDA, and members of the public.
