Business
RURCON Empowers Youth in Crisis-Affected Communities With Skills Training, Startup Packs
The Rural Development Counsellor for Christian Churches in Africa (RURCON) has concluded its 2024 entrepreneurship and skills acquisition program with the distribution of start-up packs to beneficiaries drawn from crisis-affected communities in Plateau and Kaduna states.
The closeout event, held on December 5, marked the end of a multi-year intervention funded by Friends of RURCON, under which youths were trained in various vocations for one to two years, depending on the skill.
Executive Director of RURCON, Mrs. Dinatu Ayenzat, said the project supported youths who were negatively affected by crises and needed economic empowerment to contribute to rebuilding their communities.
“Today is the graduation of the trainees. Some trained for two years, some for one year, depending on the skill. They are being given start-up packs to establish their businesses,” she said.
Ayenzat, who earlier gave a moral and spiritual charge to the beneficiaries, added that RURCON’s work is rooted in holistic ministry.
“We demonstrate the love of Christ and proclaim it. I encouraged everyone to make their lives right with God because at the end of it all, we will face God in judgment,” she said.
She explained that Friends of RURCON came into the project through a former donor partner, after which the organization approached them directly with a proposal that was approved.
Director of Programs at RURCON, Seth Yashim Gado, said the initiative was designed as a humanitarian response to support rebuilding in communities affected by violent conflict.
“We enrolled youths from five crisis-affected communities—Myanga in Bokkos, Darwat and Horop in Barkin Ladi, Doka in Kaduna State, and the Pejim community. The idea was to help them acquire skills, reduce idleness, and prevent drug and substance abuse,” he said.
He explained that the training followed four intervention arms: trauma healing for church leaders and elders, peacebuilding for security actors, a community peacebuilding component, and the youth-focused entrepreneurship arm.
“The youth arm was designed to empower them with livelihoods so they can sustain themselves and support their households,” Gado added.
The items distributed to beneficiaries included:
- 28 hairdressing sets (hair dryers, combs, wash basins)
- 7 barbing kits (clippers and barbing accessories)
- 2 laptop computers
- 48 sewing machines
- 8 welding kits
- 4 mechanic toolboxes
- 1 panel-beating gas cylinder and gas tank
- 5 shoemaking grinders and filing machines
- 5 carpentry toolkits
- 4 driving licenses (support)
- 1-ton liquid soap production chemical set
Trainers and trainees from various communities expressed appreciation for the intervention.
Mrs. Sandra Andrew of Haipan, who trained two girls from Mahanga in hairdressing and makeup, said the trainees performed exceptionally well.
“They were among the best five in my shop. I thank the NGO and pray God opens more doors for them to train others,” she said.
Another trainer, Mrs. Felicia Jidahuna from Barkin Ladi, who trained three girls in hairdressing for over a year, said the program brought joy to their community.
“These NGOs, we thank them because they brought so much joy to us. May God bless them,” she said.
Beneficiaries from Kaduna State also shared their experiences.
Gwazel Barnabas, enrolled in a three-year furniture-making program, said he is over a year into his training.
“I am very happy. We cannot pay them, but God will pay them,” he said.
Ruth Payious, also from Kaduna, said the program transformed her life.
“Even the cloth I am wearing is a product of the RURCON program. I can now sew for myself and children in my area. Before this, I was only a student, but now I have my sewing machine,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Patrick Marcus Elia from Hurum, Barkin Ladi, who completed a three-month computer diploma, said his new laptop has boosted his education.
“It helps me do assignments and projects. Sometimes when I help others, they appreciate me with money. My work has become easier,” he said.
Parents, community leaders, trainers and recipients all expressed gratitude to RURCON and Friends of RURCON for supporting youth empowerment and promoting community recovery.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—Nasarawa State Police Command attached to Karshi Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Pastor Asonye Isaiah, 37, of Rock of Love and Adoration Ground, Old Karsh I, Abuja, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl in Nasarawa State.
According to statement released by SP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer, via the commands official X account that the arrest followed a complaint lodged at the Division on 18th April, 2026, at about 2000hrs.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect deceived the victim’s aunt, claiming her niece was “
possessed” and required cleansing at a river. He instead took the victim to a hotel in New Karshi, where he allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her twice. He further threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.
The crime came to light after the victim’s guardian observed unusual changes in her behaviour and questioned her. The victim was immediately taken for medical examination, which confirmed penile penetration.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and pleaded for leniency.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for comprehensive investigation and prosecution.
He assured that justice will be served and urged members of the public to exercise caution regarding places of worship they attend and individuals who parade themselves as clerics.
The post Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor in Karshi appeared first on Business Today NG.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 12 large parcels of cocaine concealed in false bottom of food flasks heading to the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic Airline flight from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
The cocaine consignment with a gross weight of 2.80 kilograms was intercepted on Thursday 9th April 2026 by NDLEA operatives attached to the export shed of the Lagos airport while two cargo agents involved in the export bid: Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were swiftly arrested. Further investigation revealed a 52-year-old freight and forwarding agent Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola as the sender of the consignment and he was arrested in a follow-up operation.
In a similar operation, NDLEA officers at the import shed of the Lagos airport on Wednesday 8th April intercepted a consignment of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a gross weight of 2.90 kilograms and concealed in snack food packs, which arrived from the United States of America aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
Two cargo clearing agents: Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was nabbed in a follow-up operation at 3 Oba Ogunji road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday 13th April.
In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kaduna-Zaria highway by Gwargwaje Zaria on Monday 13th April intercepted a trailer conveying cement heading to Hadeja in Jigawa state. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 847 kilograms. The truck driver Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
A 53-year-old female suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested on Thursday 16th April when NDLEA officers supported by soldiers raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA, Cross River state, where 15,000 kilograms of skunk on six hectares of farmland were destroyed and 119kg of same substance recovered.
Another cannabis farm was raided on Tuesday 14th April at Saboro camp, Ovia North East LGA, Edo state where NDLEA operatives destroyed 2,281.43kg of same psychoactive substance, while three suspects: Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45, were arrested, with the duo of Christopher and Monday caught with 38.5kg cannabis and its seeds. Two suspects: Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39, were nabbed with 87.838kg skunk and seeds at Powerline area of Okwo, Delta state on Friday 17th April.
In Lagos, two suspects: Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu were arrested on Wednesday 15th April at Mile 2, Lagos/Badagry expressway while conveying 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection in a truck to Ghana. Same day, NDLEA operatives raided a two-storey building at Petti, Lagos Island, where a total of 95.8kg skunk was recovered.
With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Alfurgan Islamic School, Paiko, Niger state;
Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River; Heritage Model School, Ankpa, Kogi; Government Day Junior and Senior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina; Government Senior Secondary School, Rano, Kano, and De Ambassador Secondary School, Epe, Lagos state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, and Lagos Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo.
The post NDLEA intercepts Cocaine, Loud in food flasks, Snacks, Arrests Fashion Designer, Others appeared first on Business Today NG.
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