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Entrepreneur Calls on Government to Rethink Youth Employment Strategy
Entrepreneur Calls on Government to Rethink Youth Employment Strategy
By: Michael Mike
As Nigeria battles rising youth unemployment and mounting economic pressure, a fashion entrepreneur, Abdusalam Lukman, popularly known as Embroidery Chief, has made a bold case for embroidery and digital garment design to be adopted as a core pillar of the country’s youth employment strategy.
Speaking in Abuja at the launch of a large-scale embroidery warehouse, Lukman argued that Nigeria can no longer rely solely on conventional academic pathways to job creation, insisting that practical, technology-driven skills offer faster and more sustainable solutions.
The new facility is projected to empower over 1,000 youths with modern embroidery and digital design expertise, positioning them for immediate employment or entrepreneurship.
Lukman described embroidery as an untapped labour-intensive industry with strong links to Nigeria’s booming fashion and creative sector.
According to him, formal government recognition and integration of embroidery into youth empowerment programmes could unlock thousands of jobs nationwide while easing pressure on the overstretched labour market.
He said: “Nigeria must start creating jobs locally and intentionally,” adding that: “Embroidery is not just sewing; it is technology, design, and production combined. It attracts young people, creates value quickly, and does not require years of university education to be productive.”
He called on the government to support structured training, certification and easier access to funding for industrial embroidery equipment.
Lukman explained that trainees at the warehouse are exposed to the full production chain — from operating and maintaining advanced industrial machines to digitising complex designs — enabling them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Beyond employment, Lukman highlighted the macroeconomic implications of strengthening local embroidery production. He noted that many embroidered garments and fashion accessories are currently imported, draining foreign exchange that could be conserved through local manufacturing.
“If we produce locally what we currently import, we reduce pressure on foreign exchange and strengthen the economy at the same time,” he said.
The initiative’s training model blends free skills acquisition for machine owners with a monthly intake of selected applicants through an online process, while a growing digital community of over 500 members connects trained designers and machine operators with fashion businesses across the country.
The event also drew support from industry stakeholders and public figures, including Alhaji Aminu Yahaya and popular entertainer Real Warri Pikin, who urged lawmakers and government agencies to back local embroidery machinery distribution, maintenance and production. They stressed the need for backward integration to reduce dependence on imports and position Nigeria as a regional production hub.
Speakers at the launch agreed that with the right policy support, embroidery could evolve from a niche craft into a structured industrial subsector capable of driving employment, boosting GDP contributions and expanding Nigeria’s influence in the West African fashion market.
As debates continue over how best to tackle youth unemployment, Lukman’s proposal adds momentum to growing calls for government to shift focus toward practical, skills-based industries that combine technology, creativity and local production.
Entrepreneur Calls on Government to Rethink Youth Employment Strategy
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that one passenger was killed when suspected armed bandits attacked a commercial bus in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.
A police source said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Ojali community in Ohimini LGA.
The bus, an 18-seater Hummer Bus with registration number GME 911 XE (Gombe), was reportedly conveying passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Gombe State when it came under attack.
“The vehicle was driven by one Musa Jibrin. On reaching Ojali, unknown gunmen opened fire from the bush on the moving bus. One passenger, identified as Sanusi Danmaji, 30, was shot and killed,” the source said.
He added that no passenger was abducted during the attack.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini mobilised a patrol team alongside other tactical units to the scene.
Photographs were taken and the surrounding bushes were combed in a bid to track down the attackers for possible arrest.
The driver and the remaining passengers were later allowed to continue with their journey.
The command said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command says the death toll from the attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area has risen to 10, while five persons are still missing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Okon Asuquo, in charge of Operations, led a reinforcement team on a spot assessment to the border community on Feb. 4 at about 5:10 p.m., following the attack which occurred on Feb. 3 at about 3:20 p.m. on the community’s market day.
The assessment team, which included officials of the Benue State Government, the Director-General of Homeland Security and the Executive Chairman of Kwande LGA, faced difficulties accessing the area by road due to the terrain and its proximity to the Cameroon border and Taraba State.
During the visit, two additional bodies were recovered, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 10. The corpses were evacuated to the Jato-Aka Mortuary.
Police said the president of the Nyier-Ya Development Association, Dr Joseph Hembafer Akanyi, spoke on behalf of the community and alleged that some elements across the Mengeh Mountain had been conspiring with armed Fulani bandits to attack Abande community over the years.
In his response, DCP Asuquo assured residents of adequate security, stressing the need for sustained military and police presence to protect the Nigeria–Cameroon border and block suspected access routes used by bandits.
He urged youths to remain calm, shun actions that could provoke further violence and cooperate with the tactical teams already deployed to the area.
“As of now, five persons are still missing, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing,” a police source said.
Traditional rulers, elders and youths of the community, including Zaaku Zegelu Yengen and Zaaki Agba, were present during the assessment.
The command said the area remained relatively calm as monitoring and security operations continued.
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
News
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits attacked a joint security team of Operation Enduring Peace in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, killing two personnel and carting away their rifles.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 3 at about 1:00 p.m. when unknown gunmen ambushed the team while on duty in the area.
The victims were identified as Inspector Igba Terseer (AP/No. 302410) of the 66 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Shendam, and a soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace.
“The attackers opened fire on the personnel, killed the inspector and a soldier, and made away with their rifles. Two other soldiers are still missing,” the source said.
On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar mobilised and led a team of police officers, in collaboration with other security agencies, to the scene.
The sources said intensive efforts were ongoing to rescue the missing personnel, arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms.
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
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