THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has distributed starter packs to 42 beneficiaries for establishment of their individual businesses in Adamawa.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, made this known at the end of a three-month life skills and business training on Monday, in Yola.
Represented by Mallam Nuhu Bello, acting State Coordinator, NDE, Fikpo said the training was organised under the Community-Based Training Scheme (CBTS).
He said the scheme was designed to train and empower unemployed persons in rural communities that would in turn train others.
Fikpo underscored the importance of skill acquisition and youth empowerment in rural communities, saying such would help towards poverty eradication and national security.
He said, “The beneficiaries were recruited across the 21 local governments in Adamawa and trained in various trades in their respective communities for three months according to NDE modalities.
“We adopted a process called open apprenticeship skill where a beneficiary is allowed to chose a skill of their choice, then attached to a master trainer to be trained in theory and practical.
“The various skills provided include woodwork (carpentry), welding and metal fabrication, shoe and leather work, fashion design and computer appreciation.”
Fikpo noted that the support of soft loans and starter packs for each beneficiary was to enable them utilise the knowledge acquired effectively to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Also speaking, Dr Hassan Abdulkarim, Assistant Chief Training Officer of the NDE, congratulated the beneficiaries for embracing the opportunity and staying focused during the three months programme.
Abdulkarim said, “Empowerment encompasses three components, which includes training, financial support and business training and you all have been empowered with all these skills through CBTS.
“I encourage you all to take up the challenge, launch your businesses and support those around you as this is a priority area of the present administration towards poverty eradication.”
Mohammed Isa, a beneficiary of metal fabrication from Mubi North, appreciated the NDE, saying the training has helped him actualise his dreams of becoming a welder and self-reliant.
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