By Moses Peter, Awka
The National Directorate Of Employment (NDE) in Anambra State Southeast Nigeria has officially flagged off the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) which was propagated by the Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the NDE for better employment opportunities for all Nigerians especially the Youths, women and others.
This initiative was propagated to ensure that no Nigerian is unemployed and to fight Youths restiveness in Nigeria through skill Acquisition.
The NDE Director General, Mr Silas Ali Agara performed the flag off Ceremony in the State Capital.
The Director General, represented by the State NDE Coordinator in charge of Anambra State, Pastor Don Anaba said the programme which was flagged off Nationwide on December 6th 2024 successfully trained 32,692 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians in demand driven skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He noted that the strategic goals were increasing trainee employability, supporting small-scale enterprises, promoting agricultural productivity, improving rural infrastructure and providing transient jobs.A total of 5,532 beneficiaries were resettled with loans and starter packs while linkages to credit granting institutions for those that could not be accommodated under our soft loan scheme is ongoing.
"It is my pleasure to welcome you to the activities marking the commencement of the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI 2). In 2024, the Directorate made significant strides in fulfilling its mandate of employment generation in Nigeria by aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Renewed Hope Agenda among other objectives, emphasizes economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation. Leveraging this lofty ideal, the NDE with the active support of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment embarked on the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
"As we reflect on the achievements of the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), I am excited that the second phase of the RHEI is being flagged off today. In the second phase, the NDE will train 41,307 persons in over 30 different skills set which range from vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, ICT and activities in the public works sector. I am proud to state that arising from the experiences of the first phase, we have improved and digitised our processes through a robust online registration portal fully equipped with scalable backends and geofenced capabilities. This has made our processes more transparent, fair, equitable as well as providing us with a credible database. The trainees were drawn from the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A minimum of 4 persons were drawn from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria to further ensure inclusivity". He added.
He emphasized that total number of 14,457 beneficiaries are expected to be resettled with starter packs to help them establish themselves in their chosen fields.
"At the end of the second phase of the RHEI 2, it is our sincere expectation that the participants would be equipped positively with skills to enhance their employability, foster entrepreneurship mindsets in them and improve livelihoods to contribute to their communities and the economic growth of the Nation". He informed.
The NDE State Coordinator, Mr Don Anaba said Bringing it down to Anambra state, a total of 5,747 were registered and a total of 1,077 trainees and beneficiaries have been selected so far in all our trendy schemes.
Anaba appreciated the Governor of the State Professor Charles Soludo who by his magnanimity gave NDE the office space where they are using to do their work. "The NDE under my watch in the state promises to collaborate with all Agencies to make sure that our youths are employed and empowered"
Those who Graced the ceremony were the chairman of the Occasion, Mr Ifeanyi Nworah, the Acting zonal director south east-Mr Chibuzor Okoronkwo,
The state coordinator, the state controller Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Orji Ogbuchi, the controller of corrections, Nigeria correctional services, Ike Anselem, Justice Anigbogu-Parble Board State Chairman Anambra State ably represented by Mrs Phibina Ejioffor
Construction in Artisan Training Skill Centre represented by Engr.Nwude Micheal.
Others were; Mrs Vanessa Okeke-Trainer in paint production, Mr Francis Nwumeh-GM Franco designs Amawbia, Mrs Theresa Chiweze-Trainer VSD (fashion and designing)
·Mrs Onuorah Obianuju-Trainer (paint production) , Princess Chinelo Adams-Trainer VSD (fashion designing and cosmetology) and Mr Nnaegbuna Chisom among others.
