By Awwal Isah and Suleiman Umar
The Katsina State Government’s youth vocational training centre, known as the Katsina Youth Craft Village, has honoured five prominent individuals who contributed to the establishment and development of the institution. Among those honoured was Muhammad Danjuma, publisher of Katsina Times newspapers.
Established in 2009, the Katsina Youth Craft Village has played a significant role in training thousands of young people across Katsina State and equipping them with tools to practise the various trades they have learned.
The awards were presented on Tuesday, October 24, 2026, during a graduation ceremony for 1,640 trainees, at which vocational tools worth billion of naira were also distributed to beneficiaries.
Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony was a former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, under whose administration the centre was established.
The current Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, alongside former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, presented the awards to Muhammad Danjuma and the other honourees.
Danjuma’s Contribution to Youth Vocational Development
Several years ago, the late Alhaji M.D. Yusuf sponsored Muhammad Danjuma on a study tour to some countries in Southern Africa to examine the measures they had adopted to empower young people following their struggles for independence.
During the visit, Danjuma observed how governments in those countries established vocational training centres and introduced programmes aimed at changing young people's attitudes, equipping them with practical skills and discouraging drug abuse and other harmful behaviours.
Following the study tour, Danjuma prepared reports documenting his observations and the lessons Nigeria could learn from those countries. The reports were intended to assist the Federal Government and some state governments in developing effective policies and programmes for youth empowerment.
Katsina Vocational Training Centre: The Legacy of the Late M.D. Yusuf
Muhammad Danjuma is also the head of the Katsina Vocational Training Centre, an independent vocational training institution established in 2000 by the late Alhaji M.D. Yusuf.
The centre has contributed significantly to the training of thousands of young people in Katsina State, equipping them with practical skills and promoting self-reliance. Over the years, it has become a model for vocational training and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
During the centre’s graduation ceremony in 2001, the late M.D. Yusuf expressed his hope that the institution would become a model for vocational training across the country.
That vision has continued to inspire efforts to equip young people with practical skills that enable them to become self-reliant and contribute to the development of their communities.
Katsina Youth Craft Village and the Advancement of Vocational Education
The Katsina Youth Craft Village, established in 2009, has also become an important institution for vocational education and youth empowerment in the state.
It has trained thousands of young people from different parts of Katsina State and provided them with vocational tools to help them establish businesses and earn a living through the skills they have acquired.
Under the administration of Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, additional vocational equipment has been provided to strengthen the centre’s operations and improve the quality of training available to young people.
The centre’s continued development reflects the importance of vocational education in addressing unemployment, reducing youth idleness and promoting economic growth.
The recognition of Muhammad Danjuma and the other award recipients highlights the importance of acknowledging individuals whose contributions have helped establish and sustain institutions dedicated to youth development and community advancement.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!