The Jigawa government has approved the Accelerating Readiness in Innovation and Skills for Employment initiative, a youth empowerment and job readiness framework aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment.

This was announced in a communiqué signed by the commissioner for environment and climate change, Nura Ibrahim, after the weekly executive council meeting on Tuesday.

The initiative, the state government said, acts as a fundamental component of Governor Umar Namadi’s ‘Greater Jigawa Project’, which prioritises digital transformation, economic inclusion, and reducing youth dependency on white-collar jobs.

The council also approved the launch of the North-West chapter of the National Community Food Bank Programme, to address hunger and child malnutrition among vulnerable groups.

The initiative, the council said, would alleviate acute food insecurity by providing structured, time-limited access to locally sourced food for vulnerable individuals and households.

It explained that eligible beneficiaries will be identified through screenings at primary health care centres, where vouchers will be issued for redemption at designated food banks.

“The targets are families with children under the age of six, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of malnutrition. The programme also aims at leveraging the country’s agricultural potential, to ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most,” it stated.

It further added that the initiative is aimed at improving access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups in the state.

The council also approved the constitution of a committee to domesticate the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 (Dual Mandate), which allows the colleges to award degrees and the Nigeria Certificate in Education.

It stated that the move will extend the provisions of the Act to state-owned colleges of education and reduce the cost of affiliations with universities.

“This move will save the Jigawa state government over N10 million annually, as affiliation fees to Bayero University and Usmanu Danfodiyo University,” the communiqué stated.

It, however, added that the committee will be chaired by the Commissioner for Higher Education, with representatives of relevant ministries and agencies serving as members.

Council also sympathised with victims of windstorm and rainstorm disasters across the state and directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties to provide necessary support to them. 

(NAN)