Entrepreneurship
Bauchi, May 16, 2018(NAN) The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bauchi, on Wednesday graduated 1,500 women trained in various entrepreneurial skills.
Mr Lawan Yaya, the NDE State Coordinator, said that the training was sequel to the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, to empower women and youths as well as reduce unemployment.
He said that 912 women were trained in “quick win skills”, which could be learnt within two weeks, while 588 others were trained in other skills, which is for three months.
“We trained 912 women on cosmetology, which is the making of soaps, air freshener, home freshener, pomades, hair cream, perfume, Vaseline and so on.
“Others were trained in skills that could last for three months, such as computer acquisition, bag and shoe-making, tailoring among others.’’
Yaya said the training programme was focused on women because “when a woman is trained, a nation is trained’’.
“You know when you train a woman, you are training a nation; and that is why we placed emphasis on training women.
“We will engage a lot of men at the end of the Ramadan fast,” the Bauchi State NDE Coordinator said.
Yahaya, however, said that the trainees, especially those trained in cosmetology, had been provided with starter packs and working capital, to commence their businesses immediately.
He told newsmen that the agency had provided the beneficiaries with the necessary materials and chemicals, a carton of which was estimated at N9,600 and were also given N5,000 each.
“For the past 31 years of NDE, this is the first time people are trained and are 100 per cent resettled.
“This is a result of the unrelenting effort of the Director-General of NDE, Dr Nasir Argungu, to ensure that unemployment is completely eradicated in the country.’’
The NDE Coordinator advised the trainees to be focused, as they had no reason not to start off their businesses immediately.
He said they had been provided with the necessary things to enable them to stand on their own.
One of the trainees, Mrs Maimuna Aminu, expressed delight at the gesture, as she was trained to be an entrepreneur and employer of labour.
“I am very happy with this programme and the initiators.
“I was taught how to make vaseline, air freshener, liquid soap among others and I was given the necessary support to start up my business,’’ she said. (NAN)
EED/FLP/IFY
===========
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ify Omowole