Youngsters take to self-employment in Taraba

Hundreds of youths including university graduates are now moving towards self-employment in Taraba State after mastering different trade skills.

They are into tailoring, auto mechanic, computer application, and mobile phone repairs and sales as well as beautification and retail services.

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Most of those interviewed said they were earning a lot from their trades and were determined to continue with their chosen careers.

Isa Abba, who lives in Jalingo, said he ventured into photography and computer services long ago and made a lot of gains before he later established a POS machine cash transfer and withdrawal outfit.

He told North East Trust that he was contented with his businesses because he earned good money, enough to take care of his family and also sponsor his brothers to schools.

“I am not thinking of taking employment with the government, even if I find one, because my business has expanded; my wife and brothers are handling my business outfits,” he said.

Nasiru Isa, who had completed a diploma programme in agricultural extension at Taraba State College of Agriculture, established a computer business centre six years ago when he could not find employment  with the government.

Like Abba, Isa said he was earning enough money to take care of his needs from the services he offered at the centre. He had also saved enough money to pursue his degree course before long.

Another youngster, Dauda Garba who obtained a degree in Computer Science from the Moddibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, four years ago, decided to open a retail shop on computer accessories. He said he was forced into the retail business because it was difficult to get a  job.

Garba said he used to travel to Lagos to buy second-hand computers and accessories for his shop in Jalingo. He had saved enough money to apply for a master’s degree programme, he said.

Another graduate, Musa Badamasi, who is into tailoring, also said he was happy with what he was earning from his trade and that a number of youngsters were learning to sew in his shop.

“High rate of unemployment in the state, more especially among Hausa/Fulani groups has forced many young persons to learn skills,” he said.

This reporter visited Badamasi’s tailoring shop in Jalingo where he met 10 young men working as apprentices.

Doliuran Marley, who owns a mobile phone and computer repair workshop at Jalingo, said he made a lot of money from his business and was training others.

He said he fared better than most of his friends who worked with the government and depended on monthly salaries.

North East Trust’s findings also revealed that youths were in control of 80 percent of computer and mobile phone sales and repairs in Jalingo, the state capital.

Further findings showed that the youths including young women also engaged more on wet and dry season farming with many of them realising a turnover of up to N500, 000 annually.