A Non Government Organisation (NGO), 21st Century Entrepreneurs Hub, has embarked on the sensitisation of children in Sokoto state on the importance of studying science and technology courses.
The NGO’s Chairman, Mr Umar Idris, told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sokoto that a 2-day awareness exercise was conducted on the development toward the end of 2019.
According to him, beneficiaries were drawn from various schools in the state with some educationists exposing them to future career opportunities in science and technology related courses.
He said that the exercise was organised in collaboration with Mutawalle Health Foundation, locally known as Lahiya Sak.
“The kids along with six other volunteers were exposed to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Drone technology and other associated fields,” he said.
The chairman said the effort was aimed at catching the children’s attention as well as expose them to the beauty of technology, give them a voice, a platform and hope, so that one day they would excel in building gadgets such as rockets and do more for the nation and the world at large.
He noted that the NGO had trained about 500 youths on entrepreneurship skills in the state in 2019 alone and planned to extend such trainings to other states such as Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa and Zamfara.
According to him, Coordinators were appointed in each of the states, stressing that the effort was to develop the capacity of youths in order to embrace modern business challenges.
The chairman said that Northern states have great potentials in terms of agro-allied businesses, mineral resources and others to be exploited by the youth.
He added that the programme was also aimed at promoting women and youth entrepreneurs by connecting them with opportunities, resources as well as building their capacities to leverage on digital skills, in developing and managing their enterprises.
Idris said that the NGO’s activities had earned him recognition and the prestigious award of “Partner of the Year” during the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2019.
The chairman stated that aside the award, he was also given a VIP return ticket to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Conference 2020 at Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
He noted that the NGO was also working in partnership with MMAWT Legacy Initiative, Sokoto State Government and others.