FIC Report (Imo State) – The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle youth unemployment through sustained investment in vocational skills and entrepreneurship, as it empowered beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) Phase II in Imo State with business starter packs and work tools.
The Acting Director-General of the Directorate, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, gave the assurance during a resettlement ceremony held at the Federal Secretariat , Owerri, Imo state.
The beneficiaries, upon completing their training, were presented with vocational tools and business starter packs to support them in establishing viable enterprises and becoming financially independent.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Onwuliri described the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative as one of the flagship programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at reducing unemployment by equipping Nigerians with practical skills, encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting enterprise development for sustainable economic growth.
He further explained that the programme extends beyond classroom and practical training by ensuring that beneficiaries receive the tools required to put their newly acquired skills into productive use, thereby creating sustainable means of livelihood and generating employment opportunities for others.
The Acting Director of the NDE. stated that the starter packs presented to the beneficiaries should be regarded as valuable investments capable of transforming their lives if properly utilized.
He also encouraged them to remain committed to their chosen vocations, stressing that dedication, innovation and resilience would enable them build successful businesses capable of contributing to the nation’s economic development.
Mr. Onwuliri disclosed that under the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, the Directorate trained 1,001 unemployed residents across Imo State and an additional 1,035 participants benefited from vocational and entrepreneurship training during the second phase.
Twenty (28 ) beneficiaries who completed the Phase II training were selected for immediate resettlement and presented with vocational tools and business starter packs, while additional batches would benefit as more funds become available.
The Director of Special Public Works, Mrs. Folashade Lanre-Ogun, earlier in her remarks, felicitated with the beneficiaries for successfully completing the programme, and urged them to maximise the opportunity provided by the Federal Government.
She reminded them that the equipment distributed was not intended to be a reward but as essential working tools to help them establish viable businesses and build successful careers.
The Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Local Government Affairs, Mr. Willie Okolie Ogwo, in his good will message commended the initiative and admonished the beneficiaries to make effective use of both the skills acquired and the equipment received.
He expressed optimism that their success stories would encourage many other young people to embrace vocational training and entrepreneurship as viable alternatives to white-collar employment.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Imo State Ministry of Information, Dr. Pauline Iwuagwu, praised the National Directorate of Employment for implementing a programme that equips participants with skills capable of improving household incomes and stimulating economic growth within the state.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Chimezie thanked the Federal Government and the National Directorate of Employment for providing them with the opportunity to acquire skills and receive business support, promising that they would put the equipment to productive use by establishing successful enterprises.
Highlights of the event include the inspection of the various starter packs assembled for beneficiaries trained in different vocational areas, like knitting, autotronics, catering, GSM phone repairs, satellite dish installation, welding and fabrication, hairdressing, electrical installation, carpentry, plumbing among others, presentation of certificates and vocational equipment.
The ceremony was attended by several senior management officials of the National Directorate of Employment, including the Director of Vocational Skills Development, Mr. Chris Bamsida; Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Philomena Dipo-Ojo; and top officials of the Imo State Government and federal agencies.
AKUSHIE, CHIOMA MARK HELEN
FIC OWERRI
6/07/2026
