By Sani Yarima
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative, which aims to create 93,731 jobs under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Taraba State.
The official ceremony took place on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the NUT hall in Jalingo, bringing together beneficiaries from all sixteen local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
In his welcome address, NDE Director General Mr. Silas Ali Agara, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr. Christopher Bamsida, stated that the President has tasked him with revamping the Directorate to enhance its employment creation efforts.
Agara emphasized that this event marks the initial step in fulfilling the President’s directives.
He outlined that the initiative is designed to engage unskilled and unemployed individuals nationwide, with a focus on inclusivity.
He said the Directorate ensured that a minimum of ten individuals from each of the 8,809 electoral wards across the country will be recruited, with Taraba contributing 168 wards to benefit from thirty skill sets offered across four core programs: Vocational Skills Development, Small Scale Enterprises, Rural Employment Promotion, and the Special Public Works Department.
Agara noted that the program accommodates various categories of unskilled and unemployed individuals, including school leavers, dropouts, women, graduates of tertiary institutions, retirees, and people with special needs.
According to him, after completing their training, many beneficiaries will receive tools, equipment, and startup capital, while others will be connected with credit-granting institutions for additional support.
He also highlighted that the NDE has adopted advanced technology in designing and executing its programs, revealing that 40,000 out of the 93,731 beneficiaries will receive training in ICT and digital skills online to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian youth on a global scale.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Abdullahi Muhammed Lauya, the Member representing Ardo Kola, Karim Lamido, and Lau Federal Constituency commended President Tinubu for initiating this timely effort, which aims to reduce the high unemployment rate in Nigeria.
Lauya, who was represented by Dr. Isa Muhammed, the PG Coordinator of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Taraba State University, also announced that there are policies and initiatives that the Federal Government will unveil in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
He urged beneficiaries to remain committed to the program for the sake of national development.
In their goodwill messages, Haj. Mariya Bello, State Chairperson of the Voice of Women Initiative, and Comrade Sa’adatu Usman, Chairperson of the League of Women Voters, praised the Federal Government and the NDE for the initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to become self-reliant.
Additionally, Dr. Timothy Samuel from the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Senior citizen Mr. Mark Bernard, representatives from the State Director of DSS, and the Commandant of NSCDC all urged the beneficiaries to fully utilize the program and advised them against selling their starter packs once received.
Facilitator Mr. Abalaka Alfred of Kyar-Damina Agro-Allied pledged to equip the beneficiaries with skills that will meaningfully impact their lives and enable them to contribute positively to society.
The State Command of the Nigeria Civil Defense Corps emphasized that the beneficiaries will be monitored throughout the program.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aminci Emmanuel expressed gratitude to the NDE for the opportunity and committed to becoming an employer of labor within their communities.
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