The Kano State Government says about 200 youth will benefit from soft loans to boost leatherwork and vocational skills, as part of its commitment to reduce unemployment and make youths self-reliant.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, stated this on Thursday in Kano at the graduation of youth trained in shoemaking, bag production, and other leather crafts.

The training was organised by the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (KACCIMA), in collaboration with Keystone Bank.

Abdullahi-Waiya said the government would continue to support programmes that equip youth with vocational skills and promote self-reliance.

He described skills acquisition as a key strategy for addressing unemployment and boosting economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of the President of KACCIMA, Amb. Hassan Darma, the First Deputy President of the chamber, Sabitu Abdulaziz, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to youth development and enterprise growth.

Abdulaziz said KACCIMA would continue to introduce initiatives that create opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

The Executive Director in-charge of Loans and Public Sector at Keystone Bank, Mr Abubakar Bello, said the bank partnered with KACCIMA to provide capacity building, grants, and financial advisory services to participants.

He said the bank had opened accounts for all the beneficiaries to facilitate access to financial support under the programme.

According to him, beneficiaries who successfully utilise the grants and meet the bank’s requirements will have access to soft loans and other financial products to establish or expand their businesses.

Bello said the initiative forms part of the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs,) in Kano and across Northern Nigeria.

A cross section of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the programme and pledged to use the skills acquired to improve their livelihoods.