NDE begins training for unemployed women on shoe, bag making in Ekiti

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a five-day training on shoe and bag making with fabrics for unemployed women across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti state.

Speaking during the flag-off of the training in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo noted that the scheme under its Women Employment Branch(WEB) of the Small and Medium Enterprises(SSE) was designed to tackle poverty in the society, especially among women.

Represented by the state coordinator, Olugbenga Sanusi, the DG explained that the beneficiaries would be exposed to entrepreneurship and creative skills through the training which would help them to be self-reliant and, “ design income generating activities for women in order to generate mass employment and reduce poverty amongst women.”

According to him, the agency has created platforms for women who had benefitted from its programmes to gain foreign experience by exposing them to international trade fairs.

He said, “We reach out to our target population through four core programmes of NDE one of which is the Small Scale Enterprises (SSE) programme dedicated to the development of entrepreneurial abilities among women and youths and also to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and self-reliance in the unemployed with a view to assisting them set up their own businesses.

“I wish to encourage you to listen attentively to your Trainers and practice whatever you are taught at home. Do not let your domestic duties serve as a distraction to you, create time practice, as practice makes perfect. Ultimately, it is my desire that you become self-employed and thereby increase the wealth and dignity of your family. “

On her part, the head of the SSE department, Chikodi Ike said that the agency has approved funds for the beneficiary to start the business after the training, which she said they would pay back for other women to benefit.

She said, “I wish to inform you that this five-day training will be conducted by skilful professionals who will train you on the rudiments of making shoes and bags. The techniques may seem difficult but as you practice, you would be able to grasp them and come up with unique styles and designs for the products you will make.

“Therefore, be confident in yourself that you will soon become an expert in this skill and in the near future, you will be one of our trainers. So, ask all necessary questions as your Trainers may not be easily available after this training.”

The HOD advised the women to take the training seriously by attending every class, saying that the NDE has, an ” undeniable interest in the progress and prosperity of the women folk.”

 

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