Thursday, 4 October 2012

US Targets Jobs Creation through Exchange Programme Alumni


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.
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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