Officials and participants at the training Programme.
By Anietie Akpan
The Federal Government has so far trained over 30,000 unskilled and unemployed people in the first phase of the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative (RHEI) which kick-started last year December.
The Director General, National Directorate of Employment, H. E Silas Ali Agara disclosed this n a keynote address on Thursday, September 4, while speaking at the Flag off of the second phase of the RHEI, a programme designed to provide unemployed Nigerians with skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities, held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall, Uyo.
In a release from the Media Unit, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom state, Agara stated that 5,532 of the beneficiaries were resettled with loans and starter packs while others who could not be accommodated under the soft loan scheme are being linked to credit granting institutions.
He further said that “41,307 beneficiaries will be trained in 30 different skill sets for ther second phase of the programme”.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, applauded the President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government for tackling unemployment in the country through RHEI, describing it as “an effective measure towards tackling unemployment in the country”.
The Coordinator who was represented by the wife of Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Inemesit Uwah, also praised Governor Umo Eno for keying into the Federal Government programmes that are geared towards improving the living standards of the Akwa Ibom people.
She urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they take advantage of the programme to aid their financial independence and by extension the economy of the country.
While commending the NDE team in the State for the exceptional execution of the programme, Lady Obareki advised them on the need to monitor the beneficiaries, with regular checks to ensure that they put in their best in the training they are undergoing.
On her part, the state Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment, Mrs. Uduak Effiong Essien, in her remarks, said that the directorate is resolute in its mandate of creating jobs, building capacities and implementing empowerment programmes over the years.
She advised the beneficiaries to take the programme as a rare privilege and show seriousness, discipline and good conduct while the training lasts.
