By Peter Obiechina
As seat of the Caliphate, the North west state of Sokoto is widely acclaimed for its conservative status. Well, that was essentially until an urbane Aminu Waziri Tambuwal mounted the saddle as Chief Executive of the state, and began to steadily open it up to new trends, and innovations.
Besides declaring an emergency in the education sector immediately upon assumption of office in 2015, Governor Tambuwal has also stridently awakened the entrepreneurial skills of the people.
Quite outstanding in this regard has been his administration’s support for the womenfolk, through empowerment programmes to enable them assist with the running of their homes.
In this regard, the state government conceived, built and equipped model Women Development Centres in each of the 23 local government areas of the state. This was followed by the grant of N20,000 each to young female entrepreneurs and the facilitation of access to loan facilities.
Remarkably, these strides have begun to yield positive dividends, as the country’s first all-female mechanic workshop opened for business in Sokoto, the state capital.
Although the product of a non-governmental organisation, NANA Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative, the goal, 365Daily gathered, is essentially aimed at breaking the gender stereotypes in car repairs and maintenance.
Speaking at the commissioning of the workshop, Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, commended the foresight of the NGO, describing it as an “impressive development.”
Aliyu, also an indigene of Sokoto state enthused: “I am proud that this is happening right here. This is really big; it is the type of news that needs to be read in international magazines and be seen on places like CNN.
“When we do this, we are not just empowering women or girls, we are empowering the very fabric of society and humanity.
“I’m very delighted that this is happening and to see this being spearheaded here is truly amazing,” the NADDC director general said.
(Photos courtesy Daily Nigerian)