Economy

THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained and empowered 26 youths with starter packs and over N2.7 million cash for self reliance in Adamawa.

Presenting empowerment packages in Yola on Tuesday, Mrs Roseline Olawomi, the Head, Special Public Works Department, NDE Abuja, charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the support on their lives.

Olawomi, represented by Mrs Afiniki Alabi, said that the Federal Government was committed on empowering citizens aimed at reducing unemployment in the country.

She advised them not to sale the kits or keep them, hence the need to start working with and be employers of labour as well as to mentor others.

Malam Mohammed Ibrahim, the state NDE Coordinator, also called on the beneficiaries to understand that white collar jobs were no longer available, hence the need to apply skills acquired in to practice.

Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Nuhu Bello of the Vocational Skill Department, said that even those who were in service were complaining on their income.

“Please when you go out here, start planning on how to save and start paying back the loan as at when due.

“If you apply the skill in to practice definitely you will be surprise and be employers of labour,” he said.

Mrs Sakina Muhammad, the Head of Department of Skills, explained that the beneficiaries were trained on three areas of Interlock making, I-soft landscaping and Plaster of Paris (POP).

She reminded them that the starter packs were loans and they were expected to start paying back after six months.

“If you fail to do so we can easily locate you, your grantors and we also have your Bank Verification Number (BVN).

“We will also be monitoring your business to ensure that the objective of the programme is achieved,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that under POP 10 beneficiaries have received a generator, filing machine, hand gloves and N62,000 cash.

Eight beneficiaries under Interlock making received wheelbarrow, shovel, hand trowel, hand gloves, hammer and N183,000 cash  while eight Soft landscaping beneficiaries received pumping machine, host and N82,000 cash each.

Mr Gandume John, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and pledged to take advantage of the opportunities towards achieving self reliance. (NAN)

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