By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has said that the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government remains committed to creating more jobs for Nigerian youth, confirming plans to equip beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) Phase II in Imo State with business starter packs and vocational tools.
Acting Director-General of the NDE, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, made the pledge during the resettlement ceremony held at the Federal Secretariat Hall, Owerri, where beneficiaries who successfully completed vocational and entrepreneurship training received the tools needed to establish their own businesses and become self-reliant.
Onwuliri said the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to tackle unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, enterprise creation and inclusive economic growth.
He stated that the initiative goes beyond training by equipping beneficiaries with the resources required to translate their acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods and, ultimately, create jobs for others.
According to him, “The tools and equipment you receive today should be seen as instruments for building sustainable livelihoods. I encourage you to utilise them responsibly, apply the skills you have acquired diligently, and remain focused on your entrepreneurial aspirations.
“Through hard work, innovation and perseverance, you can transform small enterprises into thriving businesses that create employment opportunities for others,” he said.
The acting NDE DG disclosed that the Directorate trained 1,001 unemployed persons across Imo State under the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, while 1,035 additional unemployed persons benefited from vocational and entrepreneurial training under Phase II.
He explained that although the Directorate is committed to resettling every successful trainee, funding constraints have made it necessary to implement the exercise in phases.
Consequently, 28 beneficiaries who successfully completed the Phase II training were presented with starter packs and business tools at the ceremony, while assuring that additional beneficiaries would be empowered as more funds become available.
“The resettlement exercise will continue in batches as resources are made available. Our commitment is to ensure that every successful trainee is given the opportunity to put the skills acquired into productive use,” Onwuliri assured.
Speaking earlier,, Director of Special Public Works, Mrs. Folashade Lanre-Ogun, congratulated the graduating trainees for their dedication and perseverance throughout the programme, reminding them that the equipment presented to them was meant to serve as the foundation for sustainable businesses.
“The starter packs presented to you are not merely gifts but essential business tools designed to enable you establish sustainable enterprises and become self-reliant,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Local Government Affairs, Mr. Willie Okolie Ogwo, urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills acquired and the equipment received, noting that their success would inspire many more young people to embrace entrepreneurship.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Imo State Ministry of Information, Dr. Pauline Iwuagwu, commended the National Directorate of Employment for what she described as a laudable intervention that has equipped participants with practical skills and business tools capable of improving livelihoods and contributing to the state’s economic development.
The ceremony featured an inspection of starter packs for beneficiaries trained in trades including knitting, autotronics, catering, GSM phone repairs, satellite dish installation, welding and fabrication, hairdressing, electrical installation, carpentry, plumbing, POP and wall screeding, and solar installation.
Certificates and starter packs were subsequently presented to the beneficiaries to enable them commence their businesses immediately.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Chimezie expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the National Directorate of Employment for the opportunity, assuring that the equipment received would be put to productive use in building successful enterprises.
The event attracted senior officials of the NDE, including the Director of Vocational Skills Development, Mr. Chris Bamsida; Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Philomena Dipo-Ojo; former Imo State Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Iheanacho; and the current State Coordinator, Mrs. Ohanu Nonyelum.
Also in attendance were senior officials of the Imo state government, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Okeji Augustine Chidiebere; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Pauline Iwuagwu; State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Ikiriko; and the State Coordinator of the National Productivity Centre, Mazi Martin Okonkwor.
