The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed starter packs valued at 4.8million naira to 40 Community Based Training Scheme (CBTS) graduates in Ogun state.
The director general of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, during the recent flag- off of the training in Abeokuta, said the disbursement was through one of its core programs department Vocational Skills Development (VSD).
“The NDE under my supervision will be further strengthened, as a matter of policy, to deliver in the demand-driven programmes of interventions towards creating employment and promoting social inclusion particularly in the area of training and empowerment in the vocational, agricultural, public works and entrepreneurial skills,” he noted.
Represented by Adeboye Adebowale, the DG remarked that, the only solution to poverty and the increasing crime rate amongst the youth is to engage them in income generating activities.
“The federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not relent on its commitment of lifting Nigerians out of poverty. We will continue to assure Nigerians of Mr. President’s deep commitment to the actualisation of this lofty ideal,” he added.
The Ogun state coordinator of the directoriate, Akinsanya Mobolaji Remi, in his goodwill message to the beneficiaries said, ‘’the directorate is at the forefront of eradicating poverty and one of the major channels it uses is through apprenticeship skills training for all age groups and social classes as long as they fall within the unemployed category.’’
He further stated that the graduated Community Based Scheme participants had undergone training in various chosen skills and would be resettled with starter packs in order to start their various businesses and become employers of labour.
The coordinator said skills acquired by the participants include, computer operation and maintenance, Fashion Designing, Hairdressing, Catering and Aluminum Fabrication.
“The starter packs has a moratorium of 3months after which it will be paid back with an interest rate of 9% for a duration of three years,” he said.
Also speaking, Owodunni Samuel, head of Vocational Skills Development department in the state, said the directorate engaged trainers from each of the 20 local government, with 5 trainees attached to one trainer.
One of the participants, Sopeyin Oluwaseun, lauded the directorate for organising the program, saying that relevant skills acquired is necessary for empowerment and productivity so that they can become self reliant and financially viable to contribute to economic growth and development.
