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Francis Onoiribholo
The National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has flagged off the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI 2) in which no fewer than 41,307 persons would be trained across the country.
The applicants are expected to be trained in over 30 different skill sets which range from vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, ICT and activities in the public works sector.
Flagging off the programme in Benin city, Edo state, NDE Director General, Silas Ali Agara, the Edo State Coordinator of NDE, said the trainees were drawn from the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the Director General,
who was represented by Mr. Ikhanoba Omokhape James, Edo State Coordinator of NDE, a minimum of 4 persons were drawn from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria to further ensure inclusivity.
“Today’s programme, marks the commencement of the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI 2)”
Agara recalled that in 2024, the Directorate made significant strides in fulfilling its mandate of employment generation in Nigeria by aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda among other objectives, emphasizes economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation. Leveraging this lofty ideal, the NDE with the active support of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment embarked on the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
“The programme which was flagged off nationwide on December 6, 2024 successfully trained 32,692 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians in demand driven skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The strategic goals were increasing trainee employability, supporting small-scale enterprises, promoting agricultural productivity, improving rural infrastructure and providing transient jobs.
“A total of 5,532 beneficiaries were resettled with loans and starter packs while linkages to credit granting institutions for those that could not be accommodated under our soft loan scheme is ongoing.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), I am excited that the second phase of the RHEI is being flagged off today.
“I am proud to state that arising from the experiences of the first phase, we have improved and digitised our processes through a robust online registration portal fully equipped with scalable backends and geofenced capabilities.
“This has made our processes more transparent, fair, equitable as well as providing us with a credible database.
“Furthermore, a total number of 14,457 beneficiaries are expected to be resettled with starter packs to help them establish themselves in their chosen fields.
At the end of the second phase of the RHEI 2, it is our sincere expectation that the participants would be equipped positively with skills to enhance their employability, foster entrepreneurship mindsets in them and improve livelihoods to contribute to their communities and the economic growth of the Nation.
The NDE, despite the challenges of limited budgetary resources remains committed to equipping unemployed Nigerians with demand-driven skill sets, in order to empower these individuals to become employers of labour and wealth creators in the nearest future.
“Let me heartily congratulate the trainees who have made it to this level after the rigorous and thorough registration process conducted online. The online application process passed through various stages of screening and selection.
“That you have made it this far among many applicants speaks to your potential and interest in gaining skills that can transform your future. I urge you to make every good use of this opportunity to better your life, community and the nation at large.
Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Bisi Idaomi, while declaring the programme open, urged the youths to seize the rare opportunity the training provides to better their lives.
She emphasized that the programme was carefully designed to equip participants with skills that will not only make them self-reliant but also position them as contributors to national development.
The Controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Ononyaba Simon, in his goodwill message, described the Renewed Hope Employment Initiatives as a timely intervention that addresses the challenge of unemployment among Nigerian youths.
He noted that the federal government is committed to creating sustainable jobs through skill acquisition and entrepreneurial support, and encouraged the beneficiaries to see the programme as a steppingstone to independence rather than merely an exercise.
Mr. Orumwense James, Chairman and State Coordinator of the National Teachers Institute (NTI), and Chairman COHEADS, in his remarks, highlighted the centrality of education and training in national development.
He charged the youths to pay close attention to the learning processes embedded in the programme, stressing that no society can rise beyond the quality of its human capital.
Also in his remark, the State Coordinator of the National Productivity Center (NPC), Mr. Banje Suru, stated that productivity begins with individual commitment to excellence.
He urged participants to imbibe the culture of hard work, efficiency, and accountability, noting that these values will distinguish them in any business environment.