NAN-H-64
Skills
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, Jan.26 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Dauda Idris-Wase, Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment,(NDE) in Nasarawa state has urged unemployed Nigerians to stop looking for white-collar jobs but embrace skills acquisition for the self reliance.
He gave the advice on Wednesday at the graduation ceremony of the 324 unemployed trainees of free intensive skills acquisition programme, organised by the directorate in Lafia.
Idris-Wase, represented by Rotgak Goar, Head of Department, Special Public Works (SPW) of the state’s directorate said the training was to empower the unemployed and reduce unemployment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were trained in catering, tailoring, fashion design, hair dressing, plumbing and pipe fittings, interior decoration, computer maintenance/operation and welding.
“There is high rate of unemployment, the situation has degenerated to anti-social activities such as violent crime, insecurity, armed robbery, drug and human trafficking among.
“This training cycle is the fifth batch and 360 trainees were recruited for training in the three Skills acquisition centres in Lafia, Mama and Keffi, to enable them become self reliant and to contribute to national development.
“Out of the 360 trainees that applied 324 trainees completed their training successfully.
“It is better for government to teach people how to fish than to give them fish to eat, ‘’he said.
Idris-Wase called on stakeholders in job creation to partner with the NDE to provide job opportunities for the unemployed, reduce abject poverty and generate wealth.
The state coordinator reinstated the commitment of the directorate to initiate more people-oriented programmes to tackle youth unemployment, restiveness and poverty in the state and the country at large.
Also speaking, Mr Jacob Onuminya, the Lafia Centre Manager of Lafia Skills Acquisition Centre, commended NDE for its continuous efforts to reduce poverty through training of youths in different skills acquisition programmes.
One of the beneficiaries of the training, Mr Nasiru Ismaila, thanked NDE for the programme and called for its sustenance. (NAN)
AKW/DS/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed