By Moses Peter, Abakaliki
The National Directorate Of Employment NDE in Ebonyi 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 festiveness through skill Acquisition.
The NDE Director General, Mr Silas Ali Agara performed the flag off at the NDE State Secretariat located at the Federal Secretariat opposite Unity Square in Abakaliki the State Capital.
The Director General, represented by the NDE Coordinator in charge of Ebonyi State, Mrs Stella Chukwuekezie said the programme which was flagged off nationwde on December 6,2024 successfully trained 32,692 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians in demand driven skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Chukwuekezie 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". Chukwuekezie added.
She added 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". She informed.
On her part, the NDE State Coordinator, Mrs Chukwuekezie Stella said "Today, we gather to mark the beginning of a transformative journey for 1,084 unemployed youths in Ebonyi State, who will benefit from this nationwide initiative aimed at training 41,307 youths across the country. We express our profound gratitude to the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Agenda, an avenue used to better the lives of Nigerians and my indefatigable Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), His Excellency,Silas Ali Agara for keeping NDE on the front burner in our nation"
"This 3-month training program is designed to empower our youths with skills,knowledge, and competencies in four core areas: vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and labor-based programs which upon completion, qualified participants will be resettled with starter packs and loan packages to enable them become self-reliant and employers of labour.Our selection process ensured representation from all the thirteen (13) local government areas of the state, with a minimum of 4 persons selected per ward. (that is the 171 wards in the State). Special preference was given to persons with disabilities and women in line with the policy of the federal Government". She informed.
She concluded that Nigerian Government is set to address unemployment and empower youths.
Some of the spokespersons, the General Manager, Nigeria Television Authority NTA, Mrs Chinyere Kalu, Theophilus Nwokpor of National Orientation Agency, Aluma Nwabueze of Animal Science, John Nwebonyi, Artisan Chairman and Nnenna Ibiam of Technology Incubation Center applauded Nigeria's President for the giant move.
One of the Youths Mentors, Miss Chioma Uchaji, who was a participant encouraged all the Youths who were privileged to be part of that training to take the training very serious so that they can become employer of labour tomorrow.
Two of the Beneficiaries on behalf of others, Nweze Chinonso and Odinkpa Millicent thanked NDE for the wonderful employment opportunities through skills.
