FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has distributed loans and Starter Packs to 191 unemployed youths trained in different skills acquisition programmes in Nasarawa State.
This, the agency said is to enable them establish their own businesses, be self reliant and contribute positively to the development of the country.
Mr Silas Agara, the Director General of NDE stated this during resettlement of NDE trained beneficiaries under Renewed Hope Employment Initiative in Lafia.
Agara, who was represented by Ahmed Yusuf Musa, Acting Director, Inspectorate Dept, NDE Headquarters Abuja urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items and loans for the purposes they were meant for.
The DG said the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is designed to create employment opportunities and to support the establishment of productivity.
”To improve rural small-scale enterprises, promote agricultural infrastructure and provide transient jobs, which would in-turn foster economic growth and empower our communities.
”This Employment Initiative is built on three core pillars, Skills Development: By providing training and mentorship opportunities.
”We equip unskilled and unemployed persons with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the modern work and small scale business environment.
”Resettlement: By providing beneficiaries with loan facilities, access to finance, starter packs were the Directorate hopes to support the establishment of Nano, micro and small scale enterprises.
”Job Creation: To work with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to create new job opportunities, stimulate innovation, and drive economic growth,” he said.
Agara said the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative commenced with a Flag-Off Ceremony on 6 December, 2024, while training of selected beneficiaries started on 9″ December, 2024.
”Over the past 3 months, the Directorate has successfully trained Thirty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-Two (33,692) unemployed Nigerian youths, women and Persons Living with Disabilities in-demand skills across Vocational Skills training, Entrepreneurship and business management training.
“Agricultural skills training and activities within the public works sector in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”
Agara said the initiative has culminated into the launching of resettlement of the trained beneficiaries.
“The goal of which is to empower participants to become not only self-employed but employers of labour.
”A total number of Five Thousand Five Hundred and Thirty-Two (5,532) beneficiaries will be resettled with loans and starter packs nationwide to enable them establishment their own businesses.
”This initiative would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our partners,” he said.
According to him “my profound gratitude goes to the Honourable Ministers of Labour and Employment, our supervising Ministry for their support which led to the attainment of the success we are witnessing today.
”The NDE has enjoyed the support of several other organisations in the public and private sectors as we labored to actualize this programme.
”I wish to thank the National Commission for Persons with Disability for their support through the mobilization and management of persons with disabilities across Nigeria who participated in the programme,” he added.
He also appreciated State and Local Governments as well as other traditional institutions across the country that supported the agency towards the successful execution of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
Also speaking, Barr. Labaran Magaji, the SSG, Nasarawa State, represented by Mr Habila Adokwe, Director, Politics, SSG office, the Chun Mada, HRH, Samson Gamu Yare, Mrs Mojisola Imoson, Nasarawa State Coordinator, National Productivity Centre, Lafia and Dr. Daniel Ewuga Asele, Executive Director of the Wing Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi Vocational Training Institute among others commended the NDE for training the youths in different skills acquisition programmes.
They said the gesture would go a long way in making them to be self reliant and employer of labour.
They assured of their support and collaboration to the agency to succeed at all times.
Earlier, Mr. Joshua Sunday Fagbemi, the Nasarawa State Coordinator, NDE commended the Federal Government for initiating different programmes and policies that would tackle unemployment in the country.
He also appreciated Mr. Silas Agara, the NDE’s Director General for being up and doing in improving the standard of living of the youths and other Nigerians through training in different skills acquisition programmes.
According to him, “we have 191 beneficiaries, out of which 37 will receive Starter packs and 154 beneficiaries are for loans.
”The loan amount to be given ranges from N50,000 to N200,000 to enable them establish their own businesses.
He urged the beneficiaries not to sell the resettlement items but to use them to be self reliant and contribute positively to the country.
The NDE State Coordinator appealed to the stakeholders to join hands with the agency by assisting in providing resettlement items for the trained youths.
In his vote of thanks, Abdulkarim Musa, Head of Vocational Skills Development Dept, NDE, Lafia appreciated the NDE Director General, the State Coordinator and all other stakeholders for making the event successful.
He thanked the stakeholders for partnering with the agency to tackle unemployment in the state.
Responding, Mr Jega Moses, beneficiary of Digital Marketing Devices, who spoke on behalf of other appreciated the NDE for the gesture and promised to be good ambassadors of the agency.
The items distributed includes Hair dressing equipment, GSM Repairs equipment, tailoring equipment, leather Work, Vulcanizing and electrical installation and Digital Marketing devices among others.
Signed
Ari, Liman Aminu.
Head of Centre,
FIC, LAFIA.
