Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has inaugurated the extensive upgrade and remodeling of Panteka market, a significant event marking the transformation of this historic site.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Sani highlighted the planned improvements, which include new access roads, a clinic, a fire service, outdoor toilets, and an ICT center. He also emphasized the addition of skill acquisition centers aimed at creating job opportunities and boosting investment.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of Kaduna residents, noting that the upgraded market will also be equipped with transformers to ensure reliable power supply.
Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), provided insight into the market’s significance.
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He revealed that Panteka market is home to 38,000 artisans and apprentices engaged in various skill trainings, making it the largest informal technology hub in Africa. Bugaje praised the market as a symbol of hard work, resilience, job creation, and innovation, serving as a beacon of hope for unemployed youths.
Since 2021, Panteka has collaborated with Kaduna Polytechnic through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize skills training within the market. This partnership has already seen some apprentices graduate in November 2023. Bugaje underscored the market’s prominent status, noting that even similar hubs in Kenya and Tanzania, known as ‘Jua Kali’, have fewer members.
“Panteka is not just a market; it is a heritage site with a vibrant history tied to the development of Kaduna and the former Northern Region capital. Today, Panteka is a respected brand both nationally and across many ECOWAS countries. The timing of its transformation couldn’t be more appropriate,” Bugaje stated.
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