From Chidi Precious, Umuahia

In a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address unemployment, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained 33,692 unemployed youths, women and persons living with disabilities under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.

This groundbreaking programme, launched in December 2024, aims to create employment opportunities, support small-scale enterprises and promote economic growth.

The comprehensive programme designed to equip 93,731 unskilled and unemployed individuals with essential skills training, is a brainchild of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, aims to provide a lifeline to millions of Nigerians, empowering them to become self-sufficient and employers of labour.

Speaking at the closing ceremony and resettlement/disbursement exercise, Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, emphasized the initiative’s focus on skills development, resettlement, and job creation.

“This initiative is built on three core pillars: providing training and mentorship opportunities, supporting the establishment of small-scale enterprises, and creating new job opportunities,” he explained.

“The programme has already begun to yield results, with 5,532 beneficiaries set to receive loans and starter packs to establish their own businesses. This initiative is expected to have a ripple effect, stimulating innovation, driving economic growth, and empowering communities”.

Agara expressed his gratitude to partners, including the Ministers of Labour and Employment, the National Commission for Persons with Disability and private sector organizations, for their support in actualizing the programme.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with unemployment, the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative offers a beacon of hope for thousands of youths and communities across the country, he added that with its focus on skills development, entrepreneurship and job creation, this initiative is poised to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s economic landscape,

Speaking also, Ishmael Onuoha, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Otti on Cooperative Society, representing Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, appreciated the Federal Government’s significant stride towards curbing unemployment, Nigeria’s National Directorate of Employment (NDE) using the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.

He lauded the NDE for its laudable role in fighting unemployment. He emphasized the importance of skill acquisition, urging beneficiaries to utilize their newfound skills to create fortune and sustain themselves.

He reassured the Abia State Government commitment to complement the NDE’s efforts, citing the NANO business operations in the state, which aims to create business consciousness among grassroots communities.

Furthermore, he commended President Tinubu’s administration for sustaining the NDE programme, which has empowered thousands of youths to become employers of labour.

The Mayor of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Chinedu Enwereuzo, also applauded the Federal Government and the NDE for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to foster self-reliance among Nigerians.

In Abia State, Enwereuzo said that the programme aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision for Abia State, where every resident can take pride in their work and be self-reliant.

He urged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities provided, exhibit their newfound skills, and put the startup capital to good use.

He appreciated the NDE for ensuring inclusivity in the programme’s design, providing opportunities for various categories of unskilled and unemployed individuals, including school leavers, school dropouts, women, graduates, and persons with special needs.

Also in her speech, Chijioke Uzoatuegwu, former Abia State NDE coordinator, revealed that the directorate has been dedicated to training and resettling beneficiaries since its inception in a bid to foster economic growth and self-sufficiency.

Uzoatuegwu emphasized the importance of hard work and loan repayment, reminding beneficiaries that mastering a skill takes time and dedication. “No skill can be mastered in three months,” she cautioned, encouraging them to continually improve their skills by seeking guidance from trainers and conducting online research to stay ahead of the competition.

Uzoatuegwu who appreciated the NDE’s efforts in Abia State aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy, said by providing training and support, the directorate is helping to create a new generation of business leaders who can drive growth and development in their communities.

As the beneficiaries embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, Uzoatuegwu urged them to make Abia State proud by striving for excellence and making the state a model for economic success.

She expressed optimism that with the beneficiaries’ continued engagement with their trainers and with the NDE’s continued support and guidance, these entrepreneurs are poised to make a lasting impact on their communities and the state as a whole.

According to Dr. Mabel Onyendilefu, representing the Chairman of the NDE implementation Committee on 93,731 job creation scheme, Edmund Onwuliri, the programme, which commenced in September last year, is the brainchild of NDE Director General, Silas Agara and aims to empower beneficiaries to become self-employed and subsequently create jobs for others

Onwuliri said that the resettlement programme offers a safe, supportive, and enabling environment for participants to thrive and encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the resettlement packages to build a secure future for themselves, their families, and communities.

“This programme is a critical component of the NDE’s broader strategy to address unemployment, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative focuses on providing vocational, agricultural, and entrepreneurial skills training to 93,731 unskilled and unemployed individuals across Nigeria”, he explained.

Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dim Ijeoma Clara, urged the beneficiaries to remain resilient and steadfast, emphasizing that the knowledge gained will propel them towards a progressive future.

State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Abia, Tessy Wachuku, in her address stated that the event marked a significant milestone in the journey of the graduating trainees towards economic independence and self-sufficiency.

She congratulated the graduating trainees for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance, which had paid off after three months of intensive training.

“They had acquired the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to succeed in their chosen trades, demonstrating exceptional talent, creativity, and resilience”, she stated and acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, in curbing unemployment through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

She also extended appreciation to the Minister of State, Labour and Productivity Rt. Hon. Nkeiru Onyejiocha, for her efforts in showcasing Abia State in a positive light.

As the graduating trainees embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, the state coordinator pledged to provide ongoing support and mentorship to help them overcome the challenges ahead, while leaving the audience with a quote from Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving greatness.

The event, which featured a brief remark by Stella Chukwuekezie, Assistant Director and Head of Rural Employment Promotion, highlighted the importance of being good ambassadors of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).