Business

THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has opened a five-day training for women in shoe and bag making in Bauchi State.

The Director-General of the directorate, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, said at the opening in Bauchi on Tuesday
that the training was holding simultaneously across 19 northern states of the country, including the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the Bauchi State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Lawan Yaya, the director-general said
740 women had been selected for the training nationwide, with 20 women per state.

He urged the women to pay attention and learn, and to practice what they were being taught to earn a living and help their families.

He said “do not let your domestic duties distract you, create time to practice, as practice makes perfection.

“It is my desire that you become self-employed and increase the wealth and dignity of your families.”

He explained that the NDE is one of the foremost Federal Government agencies with the mission to design and implement job creation programmes that would promote attitudinal change, employment generation, reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation, hence the training.

Ms Chikodi Ike, the Head of Department, Small-Scale Enterprises, NDE Headquarters, said that the training was designed to generate employment, create wealth and self-employment, especially among unskilled women as unemployment has become a national problem.

Represented by Ms Justina Akoji, the Principal Enterprise Development Officer (PEDO) of the directorate,
Ike explained that the beneficiaries would be given N20,000 loan each after the training to start their own businesses.

She said “it is for this purpose that this training is being conducted to empower you with both skills and fund to start your own enterprise with ease.

“At this juncture, I wish to inform you that this five-day training will be conducted by skillful professionals who will train you on the rudiments of making shoes and bags. 

“The techniques may seem difficult but as you practice, you will be able to grasp and come up with unique styles and designs.

“Therefore, be confident in yourself that you will soon become an expert in this skill and in the near future, you will be one of our trainers. Ask all necessary questions as your trainers may not be easily available after this training.”

Hajiya Mariam Ibrahim who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked the NDE for the initiative and promised to make effective use of the knowledge to become an employer of labour.(NAN)

KN

Tags: Hajiya Mariam Ibrahim Lawan Yaya Malam Nuhu Fikpo National Directorate of Employment