National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Zamfara State has trained about 2,000 youths in various skills under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, aimed at promoting self-reliance among young Nigerians.
The Zamfara State Coordinator of the NDE, Hajiya Hadiza Hamza Kolo, disclosed this at the closing ceremony for the Resettlement of Beneficiaries under the initiative in Gusau, the state capital.
Hajiya Hadiza stated that the beneficiaries, drawn from the 14 local government areas of the state, had successfully completed their training and were provided with starter packs to enable them to immediately apply their newly acquired skills.
She emphasized that, the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is a program under the NDE designed in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to create job opportunities, particularly for unemployed women and youths across the country.
According to her, the participants underwent a three-month intensive training in various vocational skills, including tailoring, knitting, solar power installation, and welding, among others.
“Our training was based on their interests,” she explained. “We did not force anyone to learn tailoring or poultry farming. They applied online, indicated their preferred skills, and were trained accordingly.”
While reading a speech from the Director-General of NDE, Mr. Silas Agara, Hajiya Hadiza noted that the directorate had trained over 34,000 unemployed Nigerian youths, women, and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) among others across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the past three months.
Mr. Agara highlighted that the initiative, launched on December 6, 2024, and training commencing on December 9, 2024, was designed to create employment opportunities, Support small-scale enterprises, promote agricultural productivity among others.
He stated that the initiative rests on three core pillars: Skills Development, Resettlement (including access to loans), and Job Creation in collaboration with local businesses.
“The ultimate goal is to empower participants to become self-employed and, eventually, employers of labor,” he added.
Mr. Agara further revealed that 5,532 beneficiaries nationwide would receive loans and starter packs to help them establish their businesses.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address unemployment and foster economic development. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring every Nigerian has access to meaningful work and opportunities for growth,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, state and local governments, and traditional institutions for their support in implementing the initiative successfully.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Thomas Adebola of the NDE encouraged beneficiaries to make proper use of the tools provided to them, advising them to start small and grow their businesses.
He also assured those who had not yet been empowered that they would receive their support in the next phase of the initiative, scheduled for May 2025.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed appreciation to the National Directorate of Employment for the opportunity and pledged to apply the skills they had learned.
The event’s high point was the formal presentation of starter packs to the trainees by dignitaries present at the occasion.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
