Army provides skills for 345 barracks children

About 345 barracks children were yesterday provided with life skills by the 1 Division, Nigeria Army Headquarters Kaduna, in a bid to address youth unemployment.

Speaking at the Barracks Investment Initiative, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC)1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Faruk Yahaya urged the beneficiaries who have undergone an intensive four months training to make judicious use of what has been provided for them.

He added that the training which includes tailoring, catering, information communication technology, shoe marking, hairdressing and electrical works for barracks children between the ages of 18 to 25 have been exposed to productive ventures under the Nigerian Army barrack youths empowerment scheme.

Yahaya said the programme is in line with the Chief of Army Staff ‘Barrack Investment Initiative’ aimed at providing support for children of soldiers under the division.

“The youth underwent one month intensive training before attachment to some organizations for three months internship to enhance their knowledge,” he said.

He challenged the youths to reciprocate the gesture through commitment to their chosen trade.

The Coordinator of the Programme, Colonel Ibrahim Gambari said, “On assumption of duty, the GOC saw the need to engage the teeming youths in NA barracks across Kaduna to be self-reliant, and he initiated the scheme.”