Mainstream Foundation trains 70 Niger youths on businesses

Mainstream Foundation, the social responsibility arm of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), has trained and provided starter packs for 70 youths on entrepreneurship in Borgu town in Niger State.

The Foundation of the Kainji and Jebba hydropower plants’ operator also built a fully equipped hospital in Nasarawa town near the Kainji dam and was commissioned by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar along with Wife of the Governor, Dr Amina Abubakar Sani Bello.

Highlighting a record of the Foundation’s impact since 2016, Chairman of the MESL Board of Directors, Col. Sani Bello (rtd) told dignitaries including Gen. Abubakar, at the Emir of Borgu’s Palace in New Bussa, that 454 projects at N832.4 million have been delivered in the plants’ host communities within five years.

In fighting COVID-19 fight in 2020, Col. Bello said N500m was spent on equipment and kits donated in Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna and Kano, as well as the National Hospital Abuja, and Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital Abuja.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Siraj Abdullahi, said the 70 youths were trained in trade including catering, decoration, poultry and fish farming among others across various training institutions, while the Foundation will monitor them till the businesses grow.

Chairperson of the Foundation, Alhaji Umaru Bako, who coordinated the handover of the starter packs to the graduates tasked them on strict commitment to ensure the businesses grow.

The Etsu Nupe, HRH Yahaya Abubakar, thanked the firm for the projects especially those on healthcare saying, “a healthy community is a wealthy community, we thank Mainstream for that.”

Emir of Borgu Kingdom, HRH Muhammad Haliru Dantoro, was elated about the gestures which also attracted key dignitaries.

“Whatever is fine to improve the lives of your people, it means certain responsibility has been taken away and it is a thing of joy to see your people doing something because it’s for their benefit and the benefit of all.”