Reps Member Partners NILEST, Trains Youths, Women In Leather Goods Production

The member representing Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency, Alhaji Danladi Suleiman Aguye, has conducted training for youths and women in the constituency, focusing on specialised footwear and leather goods production, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) in Zaria.

A statement issued by the institute’s public relations Officer, Mr Remi Basorun, revealed that the training was facilitated by NILEST, a premier institution in Sub-Saharan Africa dedicated to research and training in leather-related fields.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Lokoja, Alhaji Danladi praised the participants for their resilience and commitment, describing the event as a significant milestone in youth empowerment and economic self-reliance.

He stated that the programme, which forms part of NILEST’s broader mandate and corporate social responsibility, aims to equip participants with practical skills for self-employment, business creation, and community development.

The lawmaker underscored the importance of skills acquisition in nation-building and encouraged the beneficiaries to utilise their training to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the local economy.
Honourable Aguye also commended NILEST for its crucial role in the national leather industry, including the development of the National Leather Policy and the establishment of training centres across Nigeria.

In his remarks, the director-general/CEO of NILEST, Dr Auwal Mustapha Imam, represented by Mallam Lawal Nuhu, explained that the event showcased a successful partnership between government representatives and educational institutions aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting skill-based development in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Dr Imam, “This training has once again provided the resource persons with the opportunity to interact with and impart knowledge to the women and youths selected from various parts of this great and resourceful Confluence State of Kogi. It has also granted the beneficiaries the chance to learn new skills, which, if managed well, will enhance their economic value and improve their living conditions for good.”

“The graduated participants, today marks a new chapter in your journey. You have worked hard to acquire skills that will empower you to build better lives for yourselves and those around you. As you receive your certificates, remember that this is not merely the culmination of a programme, but a launchpad for your future,” the director-general added.

The participants were presented with certificates of participation from NILEST in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, along with starter packs and start-up funds to support their entrepreneurial journey.