The National Directorate of Employment NDE has presented working equipment worth millions of Naira to successful trainees of the School on Wheel (SOW) in Imo state.
Presenting the equipment which include sewing machines, barbing tools, tiling equipment, hair dressing machines and cash among others to the trainees, Director General NDE Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo said the essence of the program was to empower the participants in the skill training to be gainfully employed in life.
Fipko represented at the event by the Imo state Cordinator of NDE Mrs. Chisara Winefred Eqwim- Chima said the office had formulated these programs to empower unemployed Nigerians.
He said it took the NDE office sleepless nights to come up with such ideas and programs for the approval of the presidency and Nation Assembly for teaming Nigerians to benefit.
He said the main target for which the program was initiated was to create jobs and provide succor for the teaming jobless youths.
Describing the School On Wheel (SOW) as a kind of mobile training scheme, especially for people at the rural areas, Fikpo said the only way to pay back or appreciate the empowerment extended to them is to work hard.
He said NDE had taken further steps to provide participants with the equipment to enable them start their trades, warning not to run away with the money and tools.
The NDE boss noted with dismay that some participants when given money, ended up squandering it instead of putting it into effective use.
In his speech, Director Vocational Skills Development Department VSD Mr. Isah Abdu charged the participants to put to good use the equipment to empower themselves and others.
The director represented by Onyedinefu Lisa Oluchi, reminded the beneficiaries that the equipment if properly managed, would enable them meet their financial needs in life as well as the needs of others.
Adding her voice, Head Loans and Coordination of NDE, Mrs. Ngozi Nwampka, spoke on the essence of the program which is to enable the beneficiaries to be established in life.
According to her the interest loan being provided to them by NDE which would be returned, would assist them largely to begin a new trade.
She said the office would on its own o wn continue to evaluate them to know how well they are doing
Responding, one of the trainees on hair dressing, Omeji Ogechukwu expressed his appreciation to the NDE for choosing and providing them with the opportunity.
