September 27, (THEWILL) — The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has commended the Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN) for its sustained efforts in equipping young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to tackle unemployment in the state.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop organised by the Network for students and graduates, the Sultan, who was represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, said initiatives like this were crucial in addressing youth unemployment, curbing social unrest, and reducing crime.
He pledged the Sultanate Council’s continued support for organisations implementing programmes that complement government efforts, adding that traditional leaders across the state would collaborate to mobilise communities toward embracing self-reliance.
The Sultan further commended the Sokoto State Government for backing SPN’s initiatives and lauded the Board Chairman, Engr. Zayyanu Tambari Yabo, for championing youth empowerment and creating employment opportunities.
Declaring the workshop open, Governor Ahmed Aliyu, represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Isa Muhammad Maishanu, stressed the importance of entrepreneurship in today’s digital economy.
He noted that the training would help youths pursue self-employment and pledged his administration’s commitment to programmes that equip young people with practical knowledge.
According to the governor, “Knowledge is the best gift you can give a human being.” In his remarks, SPN Board Chairman, Engr. Yabo, highlighted the organisation’s achievements in its first five years, revealing that more than 1,000 youths have been trained in solar installation, entrepreneurship, and career development.
He noted that such skills, often not covered in schools, were vital for career growth and business opportunities.
Yabo explained that the latest workshop, which brought together over 130 SPN members, focused on proposal writing as a critical tool for accessing local and international grants.
Also speaking, Dr Mansur Isha Buhari, State Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), emphasised that effective communication remained key to both personal and professional growth.
The two-day training, themed “Public Speaking, Report Writing, and Presentation Skills”, featured lectures, interactive sessions, and practical exercises aimed at boosting participants’ confidence, sharpening their writing abilities, and enhancing their communication skills.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
