The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has empowered 11 unemployed youths in Kogi with working tools and resettlement loans worth N1.2 million to enable them start their businesses.
North Central Trust reports that the beneficiaries were selected from amongst 50 youths earlier trained by the Directorate under its 2018 Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS), coordinated by the Special Public Works Department of the agency.
Speaking at the disbursement in Lokoja, the Director General of NDE, Dr Nasiru Mohammed Ladan, said the initiative was part of its efforts aimed at reducing the increasing rate of youth unemployment in the country.
The DG, who was represented by Pastor Philip Momoh, an Assistant Director in the agency, said the beneficiaries were earlier trained in the areas of soft landscaping, hard landscaping and plaster of paris (POP), adding that the resettlement loans and working tools would enable them become self-reliant and employers of labour.
“The employment outlook of graduates of this laudable programme is excellent. They are equipped with in-demand skills sought for in the construction industry, hence, are open to explore diverse opportunities to provide services to projects in the sector”, he said.
Earlier, the Kogi State Coordinator of NDE, Zakari Abubakar, urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity given to them and warned them against selling the working tools.
“We want you to start small and grow big. We want you to be self-reliant and employers of labour. Don’t sell the items but use them to practice what you have already learned”, he said.
Amongst the tools given to the beneficiaries were pumping machines, hose, wheel barrow, head pan, hand trowel, interlock moulders, safety boots, hand gloves and shovels.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Yusuf, thanked the NDE for gesture and assured that they would maximise the opportunity to become self-reliant as well as employ others.
Credit: Daily Trust
