About 5,532 beneficiaries who have completed their trainings by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) nationwide was resettled today, with soft loans, starter tools and equipments to kick-start their businesses.
Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who disbursed the resettlement tools, equipment and soft loans to beneficiaries at an event on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that it was proof of the current administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians, particularly the youths and vulnerable groups.
According to her, the beneficiaries were fortunate to be amongst those empowered financially and with essential equipment they needed to establish their own businesses, as many others who had been trained by NDE were yet to be resettled due to financial constraints.
She said: “The employment creation programme we are celebrating today was meticulously designed to equip thousands of unemployed Nigerians with practical skills in various trades and vocations.
“Through the dedication of the NDE, these beneficiaries have undergone rigorous training, acquiring skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
“Training is not enough therefore, to translate these skills into sustainable and decent livelihoods, beneficiaries must be supported with the necessary tools, equipment and financial resources to kick-start their ventures. This is why today’s resettlement exercise is a crucial milestone in our collective journey toward economic empowerment.”
While appealing to philanthropists, corporate organisations and development partners to assist the NDE in ensuring trained beneficiaries were resettled, the minister charged the beneficiaries to “seize the opportunity, make use of the skills and resources they have received to build sustainable businesses, create jobs for others and contribute to the economic growth of our great nation.
“As a government, we will continue to support and expand initiatives that create employment, reduce poverty and build a prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
The Director General of NDE, Silas Agara, disclosed that the NDE had in the last three months, successfully trained 33,692 unemployed Nigerian youths, women and Persons Living With Disabilities in demand skills across vocational skills training, entrepreneurship and business management training.
He explained that the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative was built on three core pillars; skills development through provision of training and mentorship opportunities to equip unskilled and unemployed persons, resettlement packages through provision of loan facilities and access to finance as well as starter packs, and job creation through local businesses, entrepreneurs and stakeholder to create new job opportunities, stimulate innovation and drive economic growth.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address unemployment and promote economic development. This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a brighter future for all, where everyone has access to meaningful work and opportunities for growth.
“I wish to assure beneficiaries who are receiving a life line today, that we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. We want you to use this opportunity given to you to establish yourselves in businesses that would engineer growth and drive economic development.”
