By Talatu Maiwada
The Adamawa Government, on Friday partnered with Bincike International, an NGO, to unveil a mobile application aimed at empowering artisans and improving service delivery.
Mr Usman Saleh, Director, Donor Department, Adamawa State Planning Commission, disclosed this in Yola at the unveiling of ‘One Delegate’ mobile application, and a five-year strategic plan by Bincike International.
Saleh said the government supported the organisation’s initiative to contribute to the development of the state.
“We are here to support our partners, Bincike International, for unveiling projects and programmes they have developed for Adamawa and Nigeria at large.
“The government welcomes organisations willing to align their programmes with its development agenda, this partnership would support development in education, skill acquisition and youth empowerment,” Saleh said.
He commended the organisation for its initiatives and urged residents and Nigerians to support it in achieving its objectives.
Dr Elisha Bello, Executive Director, Bincike International, said the strategic plan unveiled would guide the organisation’s implementation of various initiatives over the next five years.
He said the application was launched in Yola as the first phase, with plans to expand it to other states.
Bello described One Delegate application as an innovative platform designed to connect artisans with people requiring services like plumbers, carpenters, handymen and other service providers.
“The initiative would complement government and development organisations training young people, particularly by connecting beneficiaries with available markets,” Bello said.
He said the initiative was conceived following concerns over unemployment and the recruitment of young people into illegal activities.
He said some youths were recruited into gangs, banditry and kidnapping because they lacked meaningful employment opportunities.
“With very decent jobs and technology, we can provide alternatives for young people and reduce their involvement in illegal activities,” Bello said.
Ms Hauwa Kumshe, Project Coordinator Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) described the application as a solution to challenges faced by development partners.
Kumshe said many organisations trained beneficiaries in various skills but often struggled to provide sustainable opportunities for them to earn income.
“Coming from the education sector, we have been training people in school and out of school on different life skills.
“The application could provide a sustainability pathway for beneficiaries by enabling them to work as artisans and earn income,” she said.
Mr Jimiruna Leonard, Director, Innovation and Strategy, Bincike International, said the application was developed after identifying gaps between skills training and access to employment.
Leonard said the initiative would contribute to addressing unemployment by creating opportunities for trained youths to deploy their skills.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative was supported by development partners, including UNICEF, Save the Children, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), among others.(NAN)( (NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
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