Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government through its Ministry of Women Affairs is to train no fewer than 200 widows in vocational skills across the state.

The training, according to the State Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi Sifawa, is in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 5-day vocational training, in Sokoto, on Monday, the commissioner said the participates were selected across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Sifawa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Hauwa Mohammed, said the beneficiaries would be trained on skills such as knitting, poultry farming, bags and shoes making, interior decorations among others.

She further said the move was part of the ministry’s effort to enhance and bring necessary development to women fold in the state.

“In that direction, we collaborated with Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and UNFPA to fulfill the mandate, especially in enhancing the lives of widows in the State. We want to ensure that they are economically viable and independent.” She explained.

She noted that the training, if acquired would serve as means of the beneficiaries’ livelihoods and enable them to carter for the children left behind by their spouses.

The Commissioner, however, urged the beneficiaries to judiciously use the knowledge acquire during the training in order to be useful to themselves and society at large.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bala Kokani who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Aminu Haliru Dikko said coordinators have been appointed across the local government areas to ensure the success of the exercise.

Kokani reiterated the state government’s commitment to women and children development in the state.