Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Thursday called on wealthy Nigerians to assist the government in reducing unemployment rate in the society.

Masari made the call in Katsina at the graduation ceremony of trainees of Katsina Vocational Centre.

The governor said the call became necessary because youths play vital role in nation building.

Masari, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, said many youths indulged in criminal acts due to unemployment.

“I am calling on wealthy individuals to assist us in training youths in various vocational skills to make them self-reliant.

“The youths should also stop waiting for white-collar jobs because government cannot give employment to all.”

The governor said that the state government has given youths’ empowerment top priority as over 40 per cent of the youths constituted the population of the state.

The Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly, Alhaji Aliyu Sabiu, in his remarks, commended the centre for complementing the effort of the state government in reducing unemployment.

Sabiu said the assembly would continue to join hands with the executive arm to make the youths self-reliant.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the centre, Malam Muhaammad Danjuma, said the centre had trained 350 youths, including the physically challenged in various trades.

Danjuma said the centre provided tailoring machines to 150 trainees, 50 knitting machines to the graduands to set up their businesses.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN expressed appreciation to the centre and promised to use the machines for the purpose intended. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Masari.