Gombe: Mrs. Kate Usman, an eatery operator in Gombe State, has trained 20 youths in the Masa trade and is advocating for women and youths to engage in small businesses to achieve financial independence.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Usman highlighted the potential of business as a powerful tool to escape poverty when approached with discipline and perseverance. She shared her success story of building a house and empowering over 20 youths, many of whom are tertiary institution graduates, through the profits from her Masa business near Orji Estate in Gombe metropolis.
Usman emphasized that the Masa trade provided her with the means to meet her household needs and attain financial independence. She shared, “With the proceeds of selling Masa, I built my own house in Gombe State, even though it took me seven years to complete. I have been able to train countless youths and my siblings who have established themselves and are doing well. Some of them are graduates and undergraduates who are doing the business and using proceeds of the business to fund their education and meet school demands.”
Reflecting on her journey, Usman mentioned that she started the trade with just a half measure of rice 15 years ago and attributed her success to perseverance and financial discipline. She encouraged youths to seize the opportunities provided by the Masa trade to enhance their social and economic status and called on governments at all levels to increase investment in youth empowerment programs.