By Omolara Adasofunjo
The National Directorate of Employment, NDE says in the last 3 months, it has trained 33,692 unemployed Youths, Women and Persons with Disabilities in various sought after skills to make them self reliant.
At the Training held across the thirty six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital territory, FCT, the participants were exposed to Agricultural Skills Training, Vocational Skills training, Entrepreneurship and business management training, and other activities within the Public Works sector.
In Ogun State, beneficiaries of the training were offered loans and starter packs for the establishment of their private businesses, as part of the 5,532 individuals to be resettled nationwide.
At the official launch of the resettlement programme in Abeokuta, Director General of NDE, Mr Silas Agara, represented by the Ogun State Coordinator of the Agency, Mrs Kehinde Oshinowo explained that the programme was aimed at fostering economic growth and empowering communities.
The Chairman Association of People With Disabilities, Mr Michael Ebohan while applauding the initiative also implored Nigerians to patronize people living with disabilities for goods or services as a way of showing them love and giving them a sense of belonging.
Other Dignitaries at the event, including the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Lanre Ogunyinka and the State Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Andy Egbor encouraged participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained and the resettlement materials.
Similarly, the Programme Manager, Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, OGADEP, Mrs Abiola Sobukola, a representative of the State Universal Education Board, SUBEB, Dr Ismail Lawal among others encouraged the beneficiaries to multiply the resettlement materials through hardwork and diligence.
Some of the participants, including Miss Rofiat Abbas, Victoria saliu and a visually impaired beneficiary, Mrs Oluwatomisin Adeyefa promised to reciprocate the gesture by actively contributing towards enhancing the the country’s economic development.
