NDE flags off training for 41,307 unemployed youths in Imo

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has formally flagged off the training of unskilled and unemployed youths across the country.

Delivering his keynote address at the official flag-off of the 2nd Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI-2) in Owerri, the Director-General of NDE, Silas Ali Agara, said the Directorate has made significant progress in fulfilling its mandate of employment generation in Nigeria by aligning with the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The DG, who was represented at the event by the Imo State Coordinator of NDE, Ms. Ohanu Monyelum, said that in this second phase, 41,307 unskilled and unemployed persons drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have been selected to participate in the training.

According to him, a minimum of six persons were drawn from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria to ensure inclusivity. He added that 14,457 beneficiaries are expected to be resettled with starter packs to enable them establish themselves in their chosen fields.

Agara noted that among the objectives of the initiative are job creation, economic growth, and poverty alleviation, stressing that NDE has supported the Ministry of Labour and Employment in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda. He recalled that the first phase of the programme, launched in December 2024, successfully trained 32,692 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians in demand-driven skills across the 36 states and the FCT.

While urging the new trainees to take full advantage of the opportunity to better their lives and communities, the DG assured that at the end of the second phase, participants would be equipped with relevant skills to promote employment and foster entrepreneurship.

ALSO READ:NDLEA smashes drug cartel, arrests 3 kingpins, seizes N5.3bn Australia-bound cocaine

In her welcome address, the Imo State NDE Coordinator, Ms. Ohanu Monyelum, described the flag-off of RHEI-2 as a significant milestone in the history of the Directorate. Her speech, presented by Mrs. Isaac Amaka, highlighted that the programme is in line with the Federal Government’s policy on job creation as a pathway to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She explained that the programme is focused on vocational training, agricultural skills, entrepreneurship, and other demand-driven trades. Monyelum also expressed appreciation to the NDE DG for providing the enabling environment for job creation programmes to thrive in the state, while encouraging trainees to take advantage of the rare opportunity to enhance their knowledge.

In his words of appreciation, a participant, Peter Udo, thanked the NDE for mounting the programme for unemployed Nigerians. He said the initiative has rekindled their hope and restored confidence that the Ministry is active and committed to supporting the unemployed.

A photograph from the event shows the Imo State NDE Coordinator, Ms. Ohanu Monyelum, standing in the middle, flanked by other dignitaries at the flag-off of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI-2) in Owerri, Imo State.

TRIBUNEONLINE