From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the payments to beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative

Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara stated this in Yenagoa on Thursday that the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative is designed to create employment opportunities.

Support the establishment of small-scale enterprises, promote agricultural productivity, improve rural infrastructural and provide transient jobs, which would in-turn foster economic growth and empower communities.

It would be recalled that the initiative was launched on December 6, 2024, the three-month initiative aims to empower 93,731 youths, women, and persons with disabilities across Nigeria.

The DG, represented by the Ag State Coordinator, Jones-Kekebou Ebimete, said that the employment initiative is built on the three core pillars: Skills Development, Resettlement and Job Creation.

According to him: the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative commenced with a Flag-Off ceremony on December 6, 2024. While the training of selected beneficiaries started on December 9, 2024.

“Over the past three months the NDE, Bayelsa State has successfully trained 650 unemployed Bayelsan youths, women and Persons Living with Disabilities in-demand driven skills across Vocational Skills training.

“Entrepreneurship and business management training, Agricultural Skill Training and activities within the Public Works sector in the 8 Local Government Areas of the State.

“This initiative has culminated into the launching of resettlement of the trained beneficiaries; the goal is to empower participants to become employers of labour.

“Let me also appreciate the State and Local Government authorities as well as other traditional institutions within the state that has supported us in one way or the other towards the successful execution of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address unemployment and promote economic development. This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a brighter future for all,” he said.

He explained that NDE has enjoyed the support of several other organizations in the public and private sectors, as they laboured to actualize the programme.

The DG, assured all the beneficiaries of his commitment to supporting them on every step as they will use the opportunity to establish themselves in businesses that will bring growth and development.

On his part, Okehielam Nwosu, Chief Training Officer, and Head Of Department, Vocational Skills Development, urged the beneficiaries to invest wisely than to misappropriate the loan given to them or sold their starter packs

He appealed to them to take the training that they have learned seriously to be self-employed for the betterment of their tomorrow.

The Daily Asset reports that the ceremony came to climax when some beneficiaries who learnt fashion design were handed over sewing machines, tables, stools, wooden rulers, scissors.

A cash component of their resettlement loans while those who were trained in Agriculture, Baking and Confectioneries, Transient Jobs and Entrepreneurship.

Skills were assured that their loans would be paid directly to their accounts within 48 hours. A total number of 245 unemployed Bayelsan youths benefited from the resettlement in the state.

One of the beneficiaries, Paul Ebiwari, commended the Federal Government, led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for the initiative, to better the lives of the Nigerian youths.

He lauded the NDE for making their dreams come true and to be self-sufficient, after their training, and giving of loans to start their own business.