By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
Governor Mallam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has inaugurated the much-anticipated Jigawa State Micro Retailers Empowerment Initiative, commissioning 300 micro retail shops to be distributed across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the first phase of the program.
The event, held at the Mallam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to creating jobs, empowering youths, and fostering grassroots economic growth in the state.
In his address, Governor Namadi emphasized that the initiative is a crucial element of his administration’s youth empowerment agenda, which aims to provide long-term, sustainable livelihoods.
He stated, “Today, we are launching another vital youth empowerment and employment program designed to provide sustainable means of livelihood to 300 youths across the state. This is in line with our homegrown, innovative, and well-targeted youth empowerment programs that we are implementing across all sectors of the state’s economy.”
The initiative was first introduced in July by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 4th Expanded National MSME Clinics held in Jigawa State. During the event, 50 prototype retail shops were showcased with the promise of scaling up to 300 units.
Governor Namadi proudly announced that this promise had now been fulfilled: “I am highly delighted that today, as we are gathered here, all 300 micro retail shops are ready to be distributed to 300 carefully selected youths from each of the wards in the state,” he said.
Each of the kiosks comes pre-stocked with essential commodities, offering the beneficiaries a ready-made foundation to launch their retail businesses.
Governor Namadi highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “Each of these youths now has the opportunity to own and grow a retail shop and gradually transform into bigger business enterprises, eventually evolving from micro retailers to successful businessmen.”
Also, Governor Namadi assured the beneficiaries that they would also receive training in basic business management skills to help them run their businesses efficiently.
He further pointed to the broader impact of his administration’s empowerment efforts, noting that over 200,000 individuals had already benefited from various programs in the past 18 months, including those focused on women’s enterprises, small and medium-scale business grants, and microcredit schemes.
“We would not relent on our efforts. We will continue to accord high priority to innovative economic empowerment and employment programs that will provide sustainable livelihoods,” Namadi reassured the people of Jigawa..
He urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity, promising that with hard work and dedication, many of them would expand their businesses.