US Targets Jobs Creation
through Exchange Programme Alumni
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley
The United States has committed about N7 million to projects
being implemented by some alumni of its various exchange programmes, which seek
to create small jobs in some parts of Northern Nigeria.
Nine recipients, who include a Fulbright scholar, Humphrey
Fellow, and beneficiaries of the International Visitors and Leadership
Programme (IVLP), were the final selectees of the 2012 alumni micro grant
competition selection.
At the award ceremony in Abuja recently, the US Ambassador
to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley, said the number of IVLP beneficiaries in
Nigeria has increased significantly as a result of Washington’s satisfaction
with the quality of selected candidates from Nigeria.
The alumni are currently about 5000 in Nigeria. The micro
grants, he added, are expected to reach young Nigerians in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna
and several northern states.
The projects are: Gombe Mai Ruwa project created by a
Fulbright scholar and current president of the Fulbright Association, Dr.
Raymond Bako. It is intended to create a new crop of water vendors in Gombe
state by identifying unemployed youth and providing them with carts and basic
business skills to increase the projects viability and sustainability.
The Compost toilet construction is the project of 2012 US
President’s Forum for Young African leaders alumnus, Mr. Bako Kantiok, which
proposes to construct three toilets for the Kafanchan main markets in
Kaduna state and train 60 youth in waste management and disposal. The project
is expected to make some profit, which can then be reinvested based on users
paying a small fee to use the facilities.
Another project is the Samaru car washing project which is
expected to create a least 20 jobs for unemployed youth who would be taught car
washing techniques and basic maintenance modes in addition to training on basic
business skills. The proceeds will be used to maintain the equipment and
expected to expand. It is the project of 2005 Fulbright Scholar alum, Dr. Adele
Garkida in Zaria, Kaduna state.
The Solid Waste to Wealth Empowerment Project is designed by six alumni, led by Aliyu Mustapha Danladi to train 30 Kaduna Youth in the collection of solid waste and generate revenue from recoverable resources.
The Solid Waste to Wealth Empowerment Project is designed by six alumni, led by Aliyu Mustapha Danladi to train 30 Kaduna Youth in the collection of solid waste and generate revenue from recoverable resources.
This project as adapted from a 2012 alumni Engagement
Innovation fund awarded to Fulbright alumni and is expected to increase public
awareness on the environment and the dangers from toxic waste and pollutants.
2010 Humphrey Fellow alumnus, Dr. Teresa Ekaete Nwachukwu
created a leadership and entrepreneurship workshop in Bauchi which is expected
to train 50 youth in basic leadership and entrepreneurial strategies. She
will partner some NGOs to ensure that at least 20 per cent of the participants
are people living with disabilities.
Dr. Hauwau Yusuf, who is a 2008 IVLP alumnus created the
Empowerment for Self Sustenance and National Development to work with 100 youth
from rural communities in Kaduna state over a three month period to produce and
sell beaded products. It is expected that the beneficiaries would establish
small-scale businesses after six months.
DiP Girls Entrepreneurial Training for Accessing Markets
(GET-AM) is the project of Ojobo Atuluku, a 1995 exchange visitor intended to
target girls from Oju and Obi in Benue state. These girls, who have had to drop
out of school for one reason or another, will receive training in sewing,
quilting, smallholder farming, information technology and carpentry and will
focus on book keeping, numeracy and literacy. They would also be empowered to
start and sustain small businesses in their communities.
The Agriculture for Peace project is an initiative of two
Fulbright Scholars, Dr. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole and Dr. Hussaina Joan Makun to
expose 120 youth in Kaduna to modern planting methods and bee-keeping
techniques. They will partner the Kaduna Agricultural Development programme and
the National Agricultural Research Institute in Zaria.
The Fish farming Training project is the brainchild of 2009
Fulbright alumnus Afeez Adeniran with six other Bold Leader alumni and it seeks
to empower at least 20 unemployed Kano youth with skills in fish farming. The
beneficiaries would also receive training in business skills to ensure
sustainability.
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