Five hundred women in Oyo State have benefited from Micro-Enterprises Enhancement Scheme, a programme organized by National Directorate of Employment, NDE
Our correspondent, Lilian Ibomor reports that each of the beneficiaries was given 10 thousand naira.
The National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has reiterated its commitment to boosting the socio-economic growth of the country through its various vocational skills acquisition programmes.
The Ogun State Director of NDE, Mr. Adekunle Bamigbade stated this during an orientation programme for six hundred trainees on basic National Open Apprenticeship scheme of the agency.
Mr. Bamigbade said the programme which featured thirty beneficiaries each from the twenty local government areas of the state was to put an end to idleness and seeking government employments by the members of the public.
The NDE state director added that the beneficiaries after three months of training would be given stipends and tools of trade that would make them stand on their own and become employers of labour.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the Federal Government for the opportunity given to them.
Modupeola Sobukonla
300 micro and small scale business owners in Ogun State have been empowered by the Federal Government through the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Micro Enterprises Enhancement Scheme, MEES.
Beneficiaries of the loan facilitated by the lawmaker, representing Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr Olumide Osoba were drawn from different parts of the state.
In a message to the official opening of the disbursement exercise held at Peter Akinola Foundation Youth Center For Industrial Training, along Lagos – Abeokuta Express Road, Director General, Dr. NASIR Ladan – Argungu urged Nigerians to embrace the habit of paying back all loans.
Dr. Ladan – Argungu who was represented by The Ogun State Director of NDE, Engineer Femi Oyenekan gave the assurance that if the 10,000 naira loan was judiciously utilized and repaid as required, the beneficiaries would be able to access more money to boost their businesses.
The Director General of NDE pointed out that said the Federal Government was committed to the scheme in the bid to empower the people, especially rural dwellers.
Also, the facilitator of the loan Mr Olumide Osoba, who spoke through the lawmaker representing Obafemi Owode Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Damilola Soneye explained that the decision to personally sponsor another batch of 100 beneficiaries in addition to the 300 individuals approved by the Federal Government was aimed at reducing poverty among the people.
The House of Representatives member encouraged the people to sustain their support for the government and promised not to relent in ensuring quality representation to attract more projects that would better the lot of citizens.
Others who spoke at the event cautioned beneficiaries against squandering the money and advised them to ensure proper record keeping of all their business interactions
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, some of the beneficiaries advocated the setting up of structures for proper monitoring and evaluation of the scheme to ensure the sustenance.
Modupeola Sobukola
