For three days, the hall of the Katsina State Secretariat Complex buzzed with energy, ideas, and the excitement of possibility. Young people from across the state gathered to learn something many of them had never thought of before: how to turn their mobile phones into tools for making money.
The workshop, which ran from September 8–10, 2025, was jointly organized by Katsina Vocational Training Center (KVC) and the Paracha Family, Abuja. It wasn’t about theory alone — it was practical, hands-on training showing how digital tools like WhatsApp Business can open doors to opportunities.
Participants were taught how to advertise products, manage customers online, and buy and sell with ease through the app. For many, it was an eye-opener. “I never imagined I could use WhatsApp to grow a business,” one participant said. “Now I see that my phone is more than just for chatting.”
The sessions were led by Malam Mubarak, a resource person from Jigawa State with years of experience in mobile-based entrepreneurship. He reminded the youths that no skill or business is too small and urged them to take pride in self-reliance. “Idleness is the enemy,” he said, encouraging them to put their new knowledge into action.
On the final day, the mood was both celebratory and reflective. The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, attended the closing ceremony and delivered a powerful message. He praised the participants for their dedication, but also advised them to use their mobile phones responsibly and avoid practices that go against their values. “What you’ve learned here can shape your future,” he said, before presenting certificates of participation to the trainees.
For the youths, the training ended not just with certificates, but with fresh hope — the belief that with a little creativity and the right tools, their phones could become bridges to financial independence.
