The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it will empower 1,800 youths nationwide to engage in active business entrepreneurship.
The Director General of NDE, Dr Nasiru Argungu, said this on Thursday in Sokoto, that the scheme tagged “50 under 30s’’, would stimulate businesses and ensure economic growth.
Argungu said 50 youths would be selected from each of the 36 states to undergo training in different businesses.
He added that at the end of the training, the participants would receive working tools and access to Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Industry for funding to set up businesses.
The director general assured that the NDE would continue to serve as the bedrock of achieving government agenda in job creation and revival of the economy.
He disclosed that the directorate has vast facilities and platforms to empower the youth with vital skills to be self reliant and contribute meaningfully to national economy.
According to him, NDE has offices in 691 local government areas across the country with 74 skill acquisition training centres.
He explained that the directorate has cut down on the occupational training offered at the centres from 80 to 10 in order to have more concentration and build expertise.
According to him, the directorate is partnering relevant government agencies for effective execution of its mandate.
He said that the NDE was being streamlined for efficiency and effectiveness.
“Programmes of providing more employments are designed for targeted population through maximum usage of NDE structures strictly supervised by the headquarters.
“The 30 years of NDE establishment has produced experienced workforce that needed to be encouraged for maximum effectiveness and training of younger ones that would sustain future challenges.
“In this respect, the management has made it imperative to train and re-train NDE personnel to acquire appropriate skills, knowledge and right attitude to enhance productivity and efficiency to meet the special needs of the directorate’s operations,’’ the director general added.
According to him, training is a critical incentive and motivation for employees, as it helps sharpen their skills for efficient performance.
Reports indicate that the NDE is holding a three-day retreat in Sokoto for its management staff.
The retreat has as its theme:` Re-positioning the NDE for Operational Excellence through Effective Leadership and Team Building.’
