The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, has flagged off the training of 20 beneficiaries of Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS), handled by the Vocational Department of the Directorate.
The NDE Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony at the State Office of the Directorate, opposite Unity Square, Abakaliki, the State Capital.
The DG who was represented by the NDE State Coordinator, Pastor Don Anaba, said:
“The flag-off ceremony heralds the implementation of the 2024 Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS). The passionate commitment, kind support and guidance received from the Nigeria Minister of Labour and Employment/NDE Supervising Minister, Barrister Nkiruka Onyejeocha made it possible for NDE to promote modern vocational skills on unemployed Nigerians in our society to make them employable and self-reliant in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
“Therefore, it is my honour to express my sincere appreciation to the Minister for her immense encouragement and policy guidance of NDE towards achieving its mandate for creating mass job opportunities to Nigerians.”
The Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS) is a Vocational Skills Training Scheme used by NDE to impart modern vocational skills on unemployed persons in our society to make them employable and self-reliant.
It should be recalled that Vocational Training or Technical Vocational Education is the basic foundation for rapid industrialization of any economy, either developing or developed or under-developed. It provides employment opportunities for people and encourages production of goods and services and leads to self-employment and reduction of poverty.
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“Today, a total of 20 unemployed youths and women from each of the 13 LGAs of the State are receiving relevant trainings for a successfully vocation skills in 2 trendy skills including Fashion Design and Hair Dressing. The training scheme which has duration of 3 months is conducted using the NDE Skills Acquisition Centres in the State. I urge the trainees and trainers to take the workshop seriously in order to make the best out of this opportunity,” he added.
Anaba appreciated the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and indeed the good people of Ebonyi State for their support to NDE which facilitated their modest achievements in the State.
The Head of Department HOD, Vocational Skill Development, Abuja office, Mrs Amina Shetima who was represented by Mrs Agnes Ogbaga advised the beneficiaries to take the training serious and to always be punctual.
She urged them to establish their future now they are still very young.
Also, the HOD of the same Department in the State office, Mr Obiora Ananaba represented by Mr Nwosu Ekene “without skill, you can not acheieve anything”.
Nwosu urged them to utilise the rare opportunity given to them by the Nigerian government.
One on behalf of the Beneficiaries, Mr Tochukwu Nwali said the training will help the beneficiaries to equip themselves for a better future.
He prayed that God should give NDE the strength to empower more unemployed people in society.
