By Abisola THOMPSON
No fewer than 10, 000 women and youths in Anambra have benefitted from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) vocational skills training between September, 2018 and Feb. 2019.
Dr Nasir Argungu, Director-General of NDE, made the disclosure in Nnewi on Thursday at the launch of the empowerment programme for 10,000 women and youths.
Represented by Mr Julius Fakunle, the DG said that the issue of youth employment had witnessed rapid intervention by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
‘‘In recent times, the President has empowered hundreds of thousands of youths and women through articulated policies, programmes and sustained support to federal agencies responsible for employment and job creation,’’ he said.
Argungu, who rolled out statistics of beneficiaries of vocational skills in the state, added that his management had been collaborating with actors in both private and public sectors.
He thanked Dr George Moghalu, an indigene of the area, for always partnering with NDE in matters that promote empowerment creation and national development.
Moghalu commended the Federal Government and NDE for their efforts in tackling the challenges of youths and women unemployment.
Also speaking, Anambra Coordinator of NDE, Mrs Chiks Ofelle, explained that the training was meant to equip the youths and women for self-sustaining ventures.
Ofelle disclosed that 3,000 persons were trained under the basic business training scheme, while some were equipped on how to prepare business plans.
‘‘We are currently collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Agric Business Small Micro Enterprise Investment Scheme, whereby, with a good business plan one can access up to N10 million at one digit interest rate,’’ she said.
She congratulated the beneficiaries for being part of the programme, and urged them to utilise the knowledge acquired for their own good.
Miss Ngozi Udemba and Ndubuisi Okoye, both beneficiaries of the programme, said they were happy to be part of the scheme.
Okoye, who is being trained in fashion designing, said he would use his experience to set up a business to enable him become an employer of labour.——NAN
