NDE trains 1,523 youths on skills acquisition in Zamfara

From John Bassey, Gusau

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained no fewer than 1,523 youths on various skills acquisition programmes in Zamfara State.

Hajia Hadiza Hamza Kolo, the NDE State Coordinator, disclosed this on Tuesday during the graduation ceremony held at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Gusau.

Hajia Kolo, who represented the NDE Director General, Silas Agara, said the trained youths are now among 33,692 who have been empowered across the country.

She noted that the empowerment is part of an initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“It is however supervised by NDE nationwide in order to administer the good intentions of President Bola Tinubu to the good people of Nigeria from the grassroots.

“President Tinubu’s agenda is to industrialize the youths of Nigeria and create in them a firm mentality of positive innovation and self-reliance through three major areas which are skills development, resettlement and job creation,” she said.

Speaking further, the State Coordinator recalled that the programme, which commenced on 9th December 2024, has trained 33,692 youths, including persons living with disabilities, on entrepreneurship, business management, agricultural technology, and public sector awareness.

Kolo further disclosed that a total of 5,532 youths benefited from the three-month training programme and were adequately empowered with loans and starter packs nationwide, enabling them to establish their own businesses and train others.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address unemployment, this initiative underscores our commitment to create a brighter future for all,” she said.

Also speaking, the Finance Assistant at NDE, Mr. Thomas Adebola, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the cash and equipment given to them and to start small.

He further encouraged those who have not yet been empowered to work hard in their chosen fields and remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them they would receive their empowerment before the next phase of the exercise, scheduled for May 2025.