The initiative by the Kano State Government to empower 5,200 of its citizens with ‘Mai Shayi’ has been met with criticism in some quarters. Many say there is no initiative in the programme, while others have said the empowerment programme is ‘our reality and let’s not be hypocritical about it’.
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, while distributing the items to the 5,200 Tea Sellers, from the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State, said his administration spent N208m on the programme.
Ganduje stated that each of the beneficiaries would also receive N40,000 cash as take-off capital, in addition to the distributed items which includes cartons of Noodles, Cocoa Beverage, Liquid and Powdered Milk, Tea, Crates of Eggs, Nylon and Cups, Baskets, Brown and White Sugar, Spaghetti and Bread.
The Governor also urged the beneficiaries to take hygiene seriously stating that soon the Government would commence registration. He further described the distribution of the materials as a significant milestone and the first of its kind in the history of Kano, adding that it would boost the economic potential of the Tea Sellers and their families.
“We are empowering you to improve sanitation in your services; we are empowering you to improve the nutritional value of your services; we are empowering you because of the multiplying effects of this kind of programme”.
The Governor of Kano State @GovUmarGanduje has brought noddles worth 208 million Naira for the empowerment of “Mai shayi”.
God, what’s really wrong with my country? B gd.
— Oyewole Michael 🇳🇬 (@Rolex7Michael) November 13, 2017
I don’t know about Kano state but the Mai Shayi guy on Allen avenue earns more than your call centre agent… https://t.co/sga0MNnxKV
— Bros Iwi (@TooSiQ) November 13, 2017
Other Empowerment Programmes from Kano State Government
Kano State Government Launches Economic Empowerment Programme
In June 2016, the Kano State Government launched the first segment of the ‘Ganduje Mass Economic Empowerment Programme (G-MEEP)’, covering 520 Women and Youths across the State.
Beneficiaries were presented with Grinding Machine, Sewing Machine, Spaghetti Making Tool, Masa/Kosai Fryer and a working capital of N5, 000 each. Ten beneficiaries were drawn each from the 36 rural Local Government Areas, while 20 were selected from the eight Metropolitan Local Councils.
The aim of the empowerment programme is to checkmate redundancy and idleness, which are the contributing factors of social vices and criminal activities in the State as well as boost the economy of the State.
Ganduje Mass Economic Empowerment Programme
In February 2017, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje inaugurated the fourth batch of his administration’s social intervention programme, which targeted over 1,500 youths from the 44 Local Government Areas in the State.
The intervention amounting to N130m had the Governor distributing 520 Sewing Machines, 520 Barbing Equipment and Generators, including 520 set of Popcorn Machines, and N10,000 as start-up capital to each beneficiary.
The programme which targeted people from poor background, also presented 44 motorcycles and office equipment to Liaison Officers of the State Film Censorship Board.
Kano Trains 7,000 Youths on ICT
In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Kano State Government trained 7,000 youths in Google Digital Skills in May 2017.
Abdullahi Ganduje stated that since the present day life is driven by digital knowledge. The aim of the training is to empower Kano youths with ICT knowledge, as a way of making them become self-reliant and useful to the society.
The one-day intensive programme was held in six different locations across the State, and Participants were selected from the 44 Local Government Areas of the State.
Kano State Government in Collaboration with Mafita Project of the UK AID
Mafita project is a six-year programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), and implemented by Adam Smith International, which seeks to facilitate a full-time employment or self-employment of 68,000 marginalised young people aged 15 – 24 by 2021.
The program which was held in June 2017, is expected to provide marginalised youths such as (Almajiris), young women, and people with disabilities, a way out of poverty and into sustainable livelihoods through increased incomes, reduced levels of marginalisation among others.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, in addition to the Maftia empowerment programme, seeks to collaborate with the UK AID to empower over 10,000 youths before the end of 2017.
Kano Government Launches Empowerment Programme for Women
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, launched an empowerment programme in August 2017, catering for 6,700 women, with the sum of N101m. Beneficiaries were selected from 4,804 wards across the 44 Local Government Areas of the State.
According to the Governor, no society can achieve development, without empowering women. He added that the Government also plans to launch Mega Women Empowerment Programme that would cater for more women.
“Kano State Government intends to empower you to alleviate your sufferings. Some of you are widows who were left with orphans and you are shouldering their school fees, feeding and shelter among other burdens. So, you really need assistance from Government”.
Skills Acquisition Programme
In November, Kano State Government empowered over 5,000 women across the 44 Local Government Area of the State. The women were given N10,000 each amounting to N52m as start-up capital.
The Governor said women empowerment, remains a central focus of his administration.
He also stated that the 24 skills based acquisition Centre being constructed in the State, will enhance the training of more women and youths, especially in areas where labour is imported to factories in Kano, from others countries.
Earlier, about 200 women were trained in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and provided with Computers, Laptops and other communication accessories.
