The Executive Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, Hon. Rayyan Hussain MPSCM FICA, yesterday flagged off a transformative skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering vulnerable young women and girls across the local government area.

Under the joint initiative, over 100 women and girls selected from Kaduna South and Kaduna North Local Governments have enrolled in specialized training tracks, including catering and other high-demand vocational disciplines. The training takes place at a state-of-the-art skills acquisition center using internationally standardized curricula supervised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The project forms a core component of the broader Uba Sani Skills Ambassadors Programme. To ensure accessibility and maximum impact, His Excellency Governor Senator Uba Sani CON—recently recognized by NBTE Executive Secretary Prof. Idris Bugaje as the father of skills in Northern Nigeria—is funding 50% of the total programme cost. Kaduna South and Kaduna North Local Governments jointly fund the remaining 50%, with technical expertise provided by the NBTE.

Upon successful completion of the coursework, participants will earn National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certificates ranging from Level 1 to Level 6. These certifications are globally aligned and officially recognized for skilled employment across both government and private sectors.

Hon. Rayyan Hussain described the initiative as a realistic avenue to close the local skills gap, foster economic self-reliance, and strengthen families across Kaduna South.

"This programme is designed to give our young women practical skills that lead directly to financial independence," Hon. Rayyan Hussain stated. "I urge all participants to embrace this opportunity with unity and dedication. Under the visionary leadership of Governor Uba Sani, we are building a more secure and prosperous future for our daughters and our entire community."