The Niger State government on Monday distributed empowerment items to women and youths in Tafa Local Government Area of the state to enable them to be self sufficient and job creators.
The distributed items included sewing machines, grinding machines, deep freezers, motor cycles, film editing equipment as well cash assistance to disabled persons.
At the event, Gov. Sani Bello pointed out that the APC government would continue with its cardinal principle of youth empowerment.
He said its the party’s principle to mentor and develop the talents of the youths because of their vintage position in Nation building.
“The youths must feel the change which the All Progressive Congress came with. The time for using the youths as thugs is over.
“That is why the APC-led administration is putting in place various electoral reforms to change the way politics is conducted.
“I advise everybody here to do his own part in the electoral reform by registering for the voters card so as to exercise our franchise come 2019,” he said.
Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, commended the Chairman of the council, Malam Ado Abubakar, for the laudable empowerment programmes in the council.
He also called on other council chairmen to emulate Abubakar’s transparency in financial issues which gave rise to laudable people oriented programmes.
Earlier, Abubakar said that his administration spent N1.36 billion in its various activities since inception two years ago.
He said the fund was used for salaries, maintenance of security, purchase of patrol vehicles and motorcycles for security personnel, training and retraining of staff as well as students scholarship.
“As part of our humanitarian services, the council provided medical assistance of N5.06 million to 177 individuals with special and complex medical cases.
“The sum of N8.43 million was also released to 342 students as educational assistance to our teeming youths that are undergoing courses in various institutions of higher learning.
“The sum of N312.67 million was spent on capital projects in the areas of education, health, roads, water supply, rural electrifications and office infrastructure,” he said.
The council boss also urged the youths to get their voters cards to enable them chose the candidates that would develop the community and improve their standard of living.
He used the occasion to convey the decision of residents of the council to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Sani Bello for second term in the 2019 elections. (NAN)