Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano on Tuesday disbursed N795million grant to 5,300 youths in the state to support their small-scale businesses.
Newsmen reports that each of the youths, who were drawn from across the 44 local government areas of the state, got N150,000.
Yusuf said at the programme in Kano that the money was aimed at promoting self-reliance and economic development among the youths.
The Governor emphasised the crucial role the youths were playing in governance, economic development, and community building.
Yusuf expressed confidence that the fund would help the youths shift their focus from being job seekers to job creators.
The governor promised that his administration would continue to sustain the empowerment programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously, approach their businesses with discipline, innovation, and a long-term vision.
One of the beneficiaries, Malam Musa Tanko, described the initiative as life-changing, saying he planned to use the N150,000 grant to start a small business of selling tea and Indomie.
Another beneficiary, Rabi Habu, from the Yankaba area of Nasarawa Local Government, commended the governor for recognising the potentials of the youths and supporting them to start small businesses.