KASEDA, NATA Equip 1,169 Katsina Youths With Skills For Self-Reliance

The Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, KASEDA, in collaboration with the National Automobile Technicians Association, NATA, has graduated and equipped 1,169 apprentices with technical skills and starter packs aimed at promoting self-reliance and entrepreneurship in Katsina State.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, said the initiative underscored his government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through practical, market-driven solutions that equip young people with relevant technical skills.

He called on young people to prioritise skills acquisition as a pathway to self-reliance and economic prosperity, as his administration graduated 1,169 beneficiaries of the Katsina State Mechatronics Apprenticeship Programme.

He noted that the one-year programme provided participants with intensive training, hands-on experience, and mentorship in modern mechatronics and automobile technology, areas increasingly critical in today’s technology-driven economy.

“The future belongs not only to those who seek jobs, but to those who can create value, solve problems, and build enterprises. Skills are not a second option; they are a pathway to prosperity,” the governor said.

Radda disclosed that about 1,500 youths were initially enrolled in the programme, but only 1,169 completed the rigorous training, describing the graduates as resilient and committed.

He emphasised that the choice of mechatronics was deliberate, given the growing sophistication of modern vehicles, which now rely heavily on electronics, digital diagnostics, and automated systems.

To support the transition from training to entrepreneurship, the governor announced the distribution of start-up kits to all successful graduates, enabling them to immediately establish workshops and begin earning a livelihood.

He explained that many skills acquisition programmes fail because beneficiaries lack the tools to start after training, adding that his administration deliberately included starter packs to ensure sustainable empowerment.

“These tools are not just equipment; they are instruments of opportunity and foundations for your independence,” he told the graduates.

Governor Radda commended programme partners, trainers, and mentors for their role in the successful implementation of the initiative, noting that their contributions have helped in shaping a new generation of skilled and productive youth.

He also urged parents, community leaders, and traditional institutions to encourage young people to embrace vocational and technical education, stressing that skills acquisition remains key to reducing poverty and strengthening the local economy.

Earlier, the director general of KASEDA, Dr Babagida Kabir Ruma, described the initiative as a landmark achievement in the state’s drive toward youth empowerment and economic development.

He said the beneficiaries underwent a structured one-year Microtronic Apprenticeship Programme focused on mechatronics, particularly in the automobile and technical services sector, to prepare them for modern industry demands.

According to Ruma, the programme was deliberately designed to go beyond conventional skills training by integrating practical support that enables graduates to immediately establish their own businesses.

“This is not just about training; it is about creating real opportunities. The starter packs being distributed are practical instruments of empowerment, ensuring that beneficiaries can translate their skills into sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

He commended NATA for its role in providing technical support and ensuring industry relevance, stressing that partnerships with professional bodies are essential for sustainable development.

The KASEDA boss also praised trainers and coordinators for their commitment, noting that their contributions have helped build confidence and practical competence among the trainees.