NDE Trains Over 33,000 Youths, Women Under Renewed Employment Initiative
By Joe Goddy, Katsina
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained over 33,000 youths, women, and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
The Director General of the NDE, Silas Agara, made the remarks at the settlement of beneficiaries held at the Katsina Local Government Secretariat Council Chamber.
The event was part of a nationwide effort aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to combat unemployment and empower Nigerians.
The Director General, who was represented by Idris Mahmud, revealed that a total of 33,692 beneficiaries received training over the past three months in various skill areas, including vocational skills, entrepreneurship, agricultural practices, and public works.
The training spanned across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, launched on December 6, 2024, with training commencing on December 9, 2024, is built on three key pillars: Equipping unemployed Nigerians with practical skills and knowledge to thrive in the modern work environment, providing beneficiaries with access to loans, finance, and starter packs to help establish small-scale enterprises as well as collaborating with local businesses and entrepreneurs to create employment opportunities and boost economic growth.
He further highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the resettlement phase will empower 5,532 beneficiaries with startup support to launch their businesses, transforming them from job seekers into job creators.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a brighter future where young Nigerians can access meaningful work and become key drivers of economic growth,” Agara stated.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and other partners, including the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Skill Paddy, and Timetrest Limited, for their roles in ensuring the program’s success.
He also appreciated State and Local Governments, traditional institutions, and the media for their continued support.
In his keynote address, Katsina State NDE Coordinator Alhaji Hadi Mamman highlighted the Directorate’s unwavering commitment to reducing unemployment through its four core programs: Vocational Skills Development, Special Public Works, Small Scale Enterprises, and Rural Employment Promotion.
According to Alhaji Mamman, the Renewed Hope Initiative aims to recruit 10 persons from each of the 8,809 electoral wards across the country, ensuring no community is left behind. Beneficiaries registered online using their National Identification Number (NIN) and functional email addresses, ensuring a transparent and efficient selection process.
