The National Director
ate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed resettlement and equipment tools worth N2 million to 12 persons in Bayelsa.
Our correspondent reports that the beneficiaries are graduate apprentices from the NDE’s National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS) in the state.
The NDE’s Acting Director-General, Mr Kunle Obayan, who handed over the tools to the trainees, said the programme was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to curb unemployment..
Represented by Mr David Apakasa, the Bayelsa NDE Coordinator, Obayan said the programme was also developed to create an enabling environment for unemployed graduates to become self-reliant.
He said that 430 persons from 17 states had been trained and were being currently empowered.
He said that the programme would be extended to other vocational skills graduates in the remaining states and FCT, Abuja.
He advised the beneficiaries to be focused and hardworking.
“The NDE mandate is to fight unemployment and we will continue to do our best to impact positively in nation building. Skill acquisition is the key to socio-economic development;
“I urge you to make good use of the equipment; be employers of labour, to reduce poverty in the country,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Abraham Wordaga, the Head of Department, NDE Vocational Skill Development in Bayelsa, said that the 12 persons were trained in electrical installation, barbing, computer operation and welding.
Other skills include catering, interior decoration, plumbing, hairdressing and fashion design.
Wordaga, who also urged the beneficiaries to utilise the tools meaningfully, said that the skill would not only make them self-reliant but also enable them to become employers of labour.
Mrs Desire Agama, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the NDE for the gesture.
She urged unemployed people in Bayelsa to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government to create jobs.