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Tag: Ibrahim Boyi

  • Ganduje empowers 1850 youths, sends 200 prospective auto-mechanics to PAN

    No fewer than 1850 youths benefited from another round of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s empowerment programme, just as 150 automobile mechanics sponsored by Kano state government graduated from Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN) Training School, Kaduna.

    Ganduje also vowed to ensure that over one million youths are empowered by his administration before the end of his first tenure.

    He spoke during the graduation ceremony, inauguration and empowerment of over 1850 youths in Kano Government House.

    According to him, the empowerment programme was part of his administration’s determination to fight poverty, youth restiveness and growing unemployment in the country.

    He further stated that Kano state Government under his administration has made huge investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and training in various aspects of artisanship, technology, automobile mechanics, as well as different trades that can make them self-reliant and carter for themselves, their families, and also become employers of labour.

    The Nation reports that 150 youths, including 100 males and 50 females, who underwent one-year training at the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), Kaduna, under the auspices of Ganduje Automechanic Engineering Training (GAMET), were handed over modern mechanic tools and N50, 000 cash each as take-off capital, during the occasion.

    Read Also: Ganduje task civil society groups on fight against drug abuse

    This is just as another 200, including 150 male and 50 female, of the GAMET third batch were given admission letters for another round of one year training at PAN Learning Centre, Kaduna.

    Ganduje also distributed empowerment kits and N10, 000 each to 540 trained vulcanizers, as well as 440 tricycle mechanics who were empowered through the State Committee on Empowerment.

    Mores so, Governor Ganduje handed over working tools and N30, 000 each cash donation to 300 youths trained in different skills by Kano state Government in collaboration with the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

    He charged the graduands to make good use of the opportunity afforded to them, hinted that already, the first batch of 72 youths trained by PAN under GAMET, are already gainfully employed, employing other youths in their various workshops located within their localities.

    He further stated that over N420 million has been set aside for the one year programme of the third batch of 200 youths who are billed to be trained by PAN Training Centre, for their feeding, accommodation and other logistics.

    According to him, “being fully aware of the status of Kano as the most populous state in the country, my administration has decided to engage in continuous economic empowerment of youths for a better tomorrow.

    “We have continuously engaged our youths in self-reliant programmes in the field of agriculture, information technology, education, among other areas that can make them responsible and good ambassadors of Kano state.”

    He added that already, his administration has built 10 units of workshops in each of the three senatorial zones to accommodate the graduating automobile mechanics from PAN.

    In his speech during the occasion, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Jibiya, commended Ganduje for his giant strides in youth development and empowerment.

    According to him, “His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a youth-friendly governor. It is only in Kano that President Muhammadu Buhari’s empowerment policies have been fully achieved. I commend Governor Ganduje for involving both men and women in his empowerment programmes. Also, I commend PAN for partnering with Kano state government to make this a reality.”

    Also speaking, Speaker of Kano state House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhasan Rurum commended Governor Ganduje for his efforts in empowering the youths, promising that the House will speedily pass the 2019 appropriation bill before 29 December, to enable Ganduje continue with the good work he is doing in Kano state.

    The Managing Director of PAN, Malam Ibrahim Boyi, said PAN was proud to collaborate with Kano state government to ensure empowerment of youths.

    According to him, “On behalf of PAN,I congratulate Governor Ganduje for the successful graduation of the second batch of this GAMET youth empowerment progarmme.

    “Ganduje is the champion of youth empowerment in Nigeria. Little wonder his youth empowerment programmes has earned him covetous awards, not only in Nigeria but globally. I seize this opportunity to appeal to other state Governors to emulate what Ganduje is doing in Kano.”

    The chairman of Kano State Empowerment Committee who doubles as the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said, “the GAMET empowerment project is one of the most important empowerment programmes of the state government. It is a one year programme of both practical and   academic training. I am also happy to announce that these graduands at the end of the day would be issued with London City and Guilds Certificate.”

  • Ganduje empowers 1850 youths, sends 200 prospective auto-mechanics to PAN

    No fewer than 1850 youths benefited from another round of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s empowerment programme, just as 150 automobile mechanics sponsored by Kano state government graduated from Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN) Training School, Kaduna.

    Ganduje also vowed to ensure that over one million youths are empowered by his administration before the end of his first tenure.

    He spoke during the graduation ceremony, inauguration and empowerment of over 1850 youths in Kano Government House.

    According to him, the empowerment programme was part of his administration’s determination to fight poverty, youth restiveness and growing unemployment in the country.

    He further stated that Kano state Government under his administration has made huge investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and training in various aspects of artisanship, technology, automobile mechanics, as well as different trades that can make them self-reliant and carter for themselves, their families, and also become employers of labour.

    The Nation reports that 150 youths, including 100 males and 50 females, who underwent one-year training at the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), Kaduna, under the auspices of Ganduje Auto-mechanic Engineering Training (GAMET), were handed over modern mechanic tools and N50,000 cash each as take-off capital, during the occasion.

    This is just as another 200, including 150 male and 50 female, of the GAMET third batch were given admission letters for another round of one year training at PAN Learning Center, Kaduna.

    Ganduje also distributed empowerment kits and N10, 000 each to 540 trained vulcanizers, as well as 440 tricycle mechanics who were empowered through the State Committee on Empowerment.

    Mores so, Governor Ganduje handed over working tools and N30, 000 each cash donation to 300 youths trained in different skills by Kano state Government in collaboration with the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

    He charged the graduands to make good use of the opportunity afforded to them, hinted that already, the first batch of 72 youths trained by PAN under GAMET, are already gainfully employed, employing other youths in their various workshops located within their localities.

    He further stated that over N420 million has been set aside for the one year programme of the third batch of 200 youths who are billed to be trained by PAN Training Centre, for their feeding, accommodation and other logistics.

    According to him, “Being fully aware of the status of Kano as the most populous state in the country, my administration has decided to engage in continuous economic empowerment of youths for a better tomorrow.

    Read Also: Ganduje distributes 100 transformers to communities

    “We have continuously engaged our youths in self-reliant programmes in the field of agriculture, information technology, education, among other areas that can make them responsible and good ambassadors of Kano state.”

    He added that already, his administration has built 10 units of workshops in each of the three senatorial zones to accommodate the graduating automobile mechanics from PAN.

    In his speech during the occasion, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Jibiya, commended Ganduje for his giant strides in youth development and empowerment.

    According to him, “His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a youth-friendly governor. It is only in Kano that President Muhammadu Buhari’s empowerment policies have been fully achieved. I commend Governor Ganduje for involving both men and women in his empowerment programmes. Also, I commend PAN for partnering with Kano state government to make this a reality.”

    Also speaking, Speaker of Kano state House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhasan Rurum commended Governor Ganduje for his efforts in empowering the youths, promising that the House will speedily pass the 2019 appropriation bill before 29 December, to enable Ganduje continue with the good work he is doing in Kano state.

    The Managing Director of PAN, Malam Ibrahim Boyi, said PAN was proud to collaborate with Kano state government to ensure empowerment of youths.

    According to him, “On behalf of PAN, I congratulate Governor Ganduje for the successful graduation of the second batch of this GAMET youth empowerment progarmme.

    “Ganduje is the champion of youth empowerment in Nigeria. Little wonder his youth empowerment programmes has earned him covetous awards, not only in Nigeria but globally. I seize this opportunity to appeal to other state Governors to emulate what Ganduje is doing in Kano.”

    The chairman of Kano State Empowerment Committee who doubles as the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said, “The GAMET empowerment project is one of the most important empowerment programmes of the state government. It is a one year programme of both practical and   academic training. I am also happy to announce that these graduands at the end of the day would be issued with London City and Guilds Certificate.”

  • Kano’s population its greatest asset – Ganduje

    Kano’s population its greatest asset – Ganduje

    Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Tuesday pledged to deploy the state’s population to stimulate the economy and ensure growth and development.

    He also pledged to offer women equal opportunities to attain their potentials in life.

    Ganduje made the remarks on Tuesday when he visited 150 young men and women sponsored by his administration for skills training at Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria ( PAN ) in Kaduna.

    Out of the 150 trainees, 100 are males, and 50 females.

    “Population can be a liability, but we are making our population an asset, and the best way to make our population to be an asset is by developing skills acquisition among our youth.

    “We assure you, we are training you not only for you to work but also to employ others.

    “This government is very serious on women empowerment; days are gone when women still rely on meagre resources.

    “We want you to be earning good income, it is necessary for women, that is why we are exposing them to all kinds of legitimate trades so as to earn a living.

    “Once you are earning good income; it will contribute to peaceful co-existence with your husbands and families and that is what this government is doing.’’

    The governor disclosed that the government has built a N5 billion skills acquisition centre to empower and create enabling environment for sustainable skills in the state.

    Ganduje said his dream was to make Kano the hub of international trade attracting investors and traders from across the globe to the city.
    The governor faulted the current curriculum in the country’s education system, saying it can no longer sustain Nigeria’s manpower development needs.

    “So we want to break from that, the only way we can do it is to modify our curriculum.

    “To see that we have identified the necessary skills we need in our day-to-day activities, so that youth will embrace skills and be trained, that is the only way to ensure sustainability in terms of employment in the country,” he said.

    He said that the state government had commissioned a study which identified 24 trades which would offer gainful employment to the youth.

    “That is why we decided to build an ultra modern skills acquisition centre in Kano worth N5 billion.

    Earlier the Managing Director of PAN, Mr Ibrahim Boyi said the company was training the second batch of trainees from the state, with the first batch having 75 participants and 150 in the second batch.

    “The Governor during the graduation of first batch, promised that the second batch will include girls and women, and you can see clearly, the direction of the government in ensuring youth empowerment on inclusive bases, so that nobody is left behind.’’

    Boyi assured the governor that PAN would give the students the best training they deserve.

    NAN

  • ‘How auto policy will boost GDP’

    ‘How auto policy will boost GDP’

    Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) enjoyed a good run in the 70s and 80s, with its various brands of cars which outnumbered other brands on the road. Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ibrahim Boyi, believes the company can reenact that era with the coming of the auto policy. The policy, he says in this interview with Assistant Editor MUYIWA LUCAS, remains the best way to put the automobile industry back on track.

    The automobile policy is everything mixed reactions. What  is PAN’s take on this?

    Our take is simple. It is what we require to deploy our investment and infrastructure expertise and leadership in the automotive industry. It is also what Nigeria requires to develop its automobile, steel and petrochemicals industries towards providing massive employment and opportunities to Nigerians.

    What if there is policy reversal?

    All industry players have been concerned about that and also trust that the policy makers are conscious of that concern. At various levels, the subject has been raised and we have received sufficient assurances by the administration that it will not happen and that the policy will be enacted into a law by the parliament to reduce or mitigate the risk of arbitrary policy reversals.

    How prepared is the auto industry for this policy? What are its attendant benefits?

    From the perspective of PAN, we are ready for the policy and have since keyed into it. You will recall that we have over 40 years’ experience and have held leadership position of the sector for long.

    We are far ahead of any other player in terms of our quality of assembly plant, quality processes and expertise. We have fed Nigeria’s automotive industry with technical skills for over 40 years. The benefits of policy to Nigerians are numerous. The policy will protect local automobile industry and enable them to resume activities.

    This will lead to direct and indirect employment and other business opportunities in the areas of dealership networks, logistics provision and after sales service centers. The policy will also encourage other investors to set up in Nigeria as a result of the incentives and protection it provides.

    Finally, the policy will benefit the consumers in terms of provision of new vehicle finance schemes at low interest rates as well as provision of affordable vehicles by the competing players in the industry.

    What is the value addition of the automobile industry to the economy?

    From the official statistics in 2013, total value of vehicles imported into Nigeria was in the region of $3.5billion. If your target is to domicile 25 per cent of that value locally, the impact on the economy will be tremendous. This will mean more jobs for Nigerians and more wealth creation.

    The automobile industry contributes less than two per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) today, but it has the potential to contribute between five and seven per cent to the GDP if the policy becomes successful. The industry today employs less than 20,000 direct workers directly, but it has the potential of growing that number to over 500,000.

    It has been argued that automobile production should have preceded the policy. Do you buy this argument?

    People making this argument are either ignorant of the structure and development of the industry, or are just mischievous to protect some selfish gains. Automobile production in Nigeria can only occur within a protective policy. Without any defined incentive and benefit scheme to promote local production, no one will make the investments into the sector.

    Even companies that had invested at the time the industry was protected, died once the protection was removed. Nigeria must create a competitive environment for industrial activity to take off, otherwise there will be capital flight, and so will be jobs and opportunities.

    The policy as conceived, has provided for this transition and I am confident it will work out well without any of the skeptical projections of price hikes, or vehicles shortage.

    Do you think the indigenous automobile makers have the capacity to cater for the country’s automobile needs? If not, how will the shortfall be bridged?

    Nigeria’s new vehicle import at end of 2013 was only 49,000 vehicles. This is far lower than PAN’s manufacturing capacity of 90,000 cars per annum on single shift. Therefore capacity will not be the issue in the immediate term.

    As we see a shift in the market structure between used and new vehicles, various players in the sector will certainly be responding to meet the new requirements from their various facilities.

    How sustainable will automobile production be in view of the economic hardship being experienced in the country. Will these made-in-Nigeria vehicles be chaep?

    As I mentioned earlier, a key component of the automobile development plan is the aspect of market development, which will promote the set up of vehicle finance acquisition scheme and also mandate the players to develop affordable vehicles. These will be the market challenges that will shape the strategy of every player that will need to survive and remain viable.

    In PAN, we have already started acting in that direction by creating entry level vehicles that are quite affordable in their class. We will also continue to improve on the affordability of our vehicles without compromising the key elements of safety, reliability, durability and efficiency.

    How prepared is PAN for this new dispensation? What have you put in place to compete?

    We are already positioning and responding to the evolution of the market. Our constant value elements will be safety of our products, reliability and adaptability to our environment, efficiency and overall cost of ownership. As in the past, support for PAN’s products will be everywhere, with assurance to our customers of affordable after sales support and genuine spares. In the end, we intend to make our vehicles more competitive.

    What will be the impact of the comatose Ajaokuta Steel rolling mill on automobile production considering that the plant is meant to supply the industry parts?

    I believe that once we stabilise the auto industry and improve its performance, there will be a natural pressure to develop the composite parts’ industry, such as steel and petrochemicals.

    The Auto industry, as the primary user of such inputs, must develop and create demand for those inputs. This will be the same with auto components manufacturers. Once the auto industry dies, all component manufactures will also perished.

    Is the economy on course?

    There has been consistent growth of our economy. However such growth needs to be more inclusive and diversified.This can be achieved through further diversification of the economy from oil to other productive sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.

    Also certain economic reform elements are yet to take root, such as the power sector reform and fiscal responsibility. Once these reforms take root, the impact on the country and its populace will be enormous. It will help the inclusiveness of the growth and create a balanced and more sustainable economic model.

     

  • Here comes new Peugeot 301

    Here comes new Peugeot 301

    Pan Nigeria Limited has taken a giant step to bring the new auto policy into fruition by kicking off Peugeot 301 production and inaugurating the proposed site for Automotive Cluster Park. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO, who was at PAN Nigeria Limited headquarters in Kaduna, reports.

    When the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr Ibrahim Boyi called on the Federal Government late last year to create the enabling environment that would guarantee huge foreign investments to support Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Plan, especially in the auto sector, little did the public know the inherent benefits of such call.

    The government yielded to the call by approving the National Automotive Development Policy.

    With this government’s gesture, Boyi and a few others in the automotive sector see the policy as an opportunity to put the nation on the pedestal of vehicle-producing nations.

    Earlier this year, Boyi promised to reposition the moribund PAN Nigeria Limited towards retaking its number one spot in the auto industry.

    Last Tuesday, the company sent signals to other players in the sector of its readiness to reclaim its lost glory.

    PAN Nigeria Limited kicked off the industrial assembly of new Peugeot 301 and inaugurated the proposed Automotive Cluster Park site.

    The epoch-making event was attended by the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, during whose tenure the company was opened over 40 years ago.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo who was supposed to lead the ceremony was represented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga.

    Aganga, while praising PAN Nigeria for keying into the automotive policy, said no nation can develop by relying on importation.

    He boasted that Nigeria can be the biggest auto industry in Africa if the policy is well harnessed.

    Aganga explained that President Goodluck Jonathan’s aspiration is not only to assemble vehicles but rather produce them.

    “We want to turn iron to vehicles; we want to turn rubber to tyres and make Nigeria the hub of automobile in Africa,” he said.

    According to him, the moribund auto plants have got a new lease of life, courtesy of the auto policy.

    He reiterated the belief that more jobs would soon be created in the sector by the time spare parts are being produced locally.

    “The response by foreign investors to the policy has exceeded our expectations, we urge Nigerians to patronise PAN and others. That is the only way we can develop our country. We must produce what we consume and consume what we produce. Anyone who is against this policy is against the people,” he said.

    Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero said by the time PAN Nigeria Limited becomes fully functional, the multiplier effects of job creation and technolocal knowledge will be immense for Nigerians and residents of the state in particular.

    The governor enjoined Nigerians to patronise the locally assembled vehicles.

    “If we do not patronise our own products, who will? If we do not, how can we be among the biggest car producers? As for us in Kaduna, we have long keyed into purchasing Peugeot products,” he said.

    Gen Gowon hailed PAN for resuscitating the “best car manufacturing company in Nigeria.”

    He prayed the policy be sustained by succeeding adminidtration.

    “Nigeria would be better for it if the policy is not truncated,” he said.

    In his opening remarks, Boyi said the management was full of optimism and great hope for the future of the company, the automotive and Nigeria.

    He said the auto policy has made it possible to reopen their industrial production for the Peugeot vehicles after six years of inactivity.

    The re-opening, he said, had attracted the support of their OEM partners, Messers Automobile Peugeot of France and created a new window of opportunity for potential employment and re-engagement of our disengaged workers and also resuscitated the business of the largely moribund local component manufacturers.

    “We are proud to state here, today our auto manufacturing plant remains the biggest and most comprehensive auto plant not only in Nigeria, but West and Central Africa. Ours will be the benchmark for all incoming auto plants in Nigeria.

    “We are also confident that AIDP will achieve its objectives of protecting local auto plants, promote local components manufacturing, attract investments into the auto industry and create hundreds of thousands of direct jobs in the sector,” he said.

    PAN Nigeria Chairman Alhaji Munir Ja’afar announced that PAN has dedicated local parts park as contribution to the earmarked Automotive cluster parks as captured by the approved National Automotive Development Plan, last year.

    Ja’afar said the idea of bringing together auto local content manufacturers under one umbrella as a cluster park within a manufacturing outfit, will no doubt, accelerate aspiration of growing the percentage of local content in output apart from the anticipated benefits of reduction in some unnecessary overhead costs incurred on amenities such as power, water, logistics and security as these costs will be shared among all.

    He praised President Jonathan for the policy.

    “We, the industrialists, have wholeheartedly agreed that the policies are meant for us to explore growth opportunities, increase our GDP and create employment for our citizens. We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to jealously monitor the implementation of the policy and avoid policy flip flop as this is capable of dampening our morale and confidence,” he added.

    He called on the Federal Executive Council to follow its directives with political will and ginger-up ministers and government agencies to patronise Made-in- Nigeria vehicles.

    This, he said, was the only way the government could create market for the locally produced vehicles in addition to duty differentials recently introduced to encourage local production.

    PSA Group Regional Director Eric Maydeiu said PAN factory remains the only one between Morocco and South Africa that is capable of producing products of quality following the more demanding standards of PSA.

     

  • PAN starts assembly of vehicles next month

    PAN starts assembly of vehicles next month

    PAN Nigeria Limited Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said the assembly of Peugeot in the country will begin next month.

    Boyi made this known at the just concluded Auto fair in Lagos.

    According to him, PAN has all it takes to compete with other companies in assembling cheaper but quality products in the country.

    The company, he said, will start with the  assemblage of 301, followed by 508 and 408 within the next 16 months.

    Boyi said the only way to gain market share is to offer something different and worthwhile.

    He promised that the new PAN management would do all it could to return the company to its glorious past when it churned out 90,000 vehicles daily.

    PAN, he said, is giving the new auto policy top priority.

    “By 2015, we will start full CKD assembly, and this will generate the most local content. So, it is a great opportunity for people that want to ride on the back of this policy. PAN is already working with the association of auto component manufacturers to create clusters and the Minister of Transport has been informed that we are ready to work with auto component manufacturers that show enough seriousness in our cluster in Kaduna,” he said.

    He reiterated that the objective of the new auto policy is to encourage local production; local development of skill and manpower; for employment and create local opportunity.

    “We are fully in support of the policy and we want to assure everybody, including those who may not like the policy, that the policy will only do one thing, naturally help improve the Nigerian people. Despite all the opposition and the fear that the policy will generate, we will be able to create more opportunities for our people and all will translate into better and cheaper products,” he said.

    Boyi lamented the increasing proliferation of fake spare parts in the market.

    According to him, there are about 70 to 80 per cent fake spares in the market.

    “The chance of you buying original spare parts is only 20 or 30 per cent. We are concerned that those customers, who buy PAN vehicles, get full value from the vehicles. Strategically as an organisation, we are concerned about the provision of spares. A lot of companies suffer this problem. Cost of ownership of vehicles has been so much mainly because of the incidences of fake spare part in the market. We want to ensure the integrity of after sales, because Peugeot brand is known as vehicles that anyone everywhere can maintain. We will like to bring that back into our system,” he stated.

  • Katsina orders 34 Peugeot ambulances

    Katsina orders 34 Peugeot ambulances

    The Katsina State government has ordered for 34 units Peugeot Partner long Ambulances to enhance medical service delivery in the 34 local government areas of the state.

    This was made known when Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema received the Executive Management team of PAN Nigeria Limited, when they paid him a visit in his new office in Katsina.

    The governor said the state government would soon go into partnership with PAN in auto capacity building for youths in the state who are undergoing training in auto-related fields at the Katsina Youth Craft Village.

    The training, he said, would further broaden their scope and expose them to modern industrial development in auto engineering.

    Governor Shema noted that the youth would have the opportunity of being accredited by a world standard automotive firm.

    The governor also praised the efforts of PAN in marketing the product nationwide saying, “for one to survive in this competitive marketing world, he has to fashion a strategy for wining”.

    He pledged his support and patronage for the firm.

    Earlier, PAN Managing Director, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said they were in the state to commiserate with the people of Katsina over the recent tragedy that befell the state which resulted in the loss of lives and properties, and also introduce the new Board to the governor whose state owns shares in the company.

    Boyi told the governor that the company has been repositioned to offer value to its customers in the areas of provision of affordable cars, and training in auto mechanic trade.

    He added that the company has also developed a concept called “Shade Tree Initiative” that is aimed at empowering the youth to own their workshop after undergoing training in modern auto mecha-tronics in the firm.

    He further solicited patronage from all tiers of government, urging them to key into the firm’s programme of youth empowerment.

    Boyi assured Peugeot customers of superior value for their patronage, saying that Peugeot brands are cost effective in maintenance apart from the quality guaranteed in the brand.

    The highpoint of the visit was a visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and inspection of Katsina Youth Craft Village.