The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has initiated a vocational skills development scheme, known as the Basic-National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS), in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, Nigeria. This endeavor aims to equip twenty job-seekers with essential skills, fostering opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
Representing the Director General of NDE, Mr. Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, Mr. Ibidun Abiodun Amos, the Kogi State NDE Coordinator, highlighted the scheme’s potential to enhance youth participation in national economic growth. Emphasizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation and poverty alleviation, Fikpo urged youths to seize the opportunities provided by the federal government through NDE initiatives.
Mrs. Amina Lewa Shettima, from the Vocational Skills Development Department at NDE Headquarters, reiterated the importance of the training, urging participants to approach it earnestly. Stressing the significance of the opportunity, she emphasized the competitiveness of the job market and the value of acquiring practical skills.
Mr. Abubakar Adam, Head of Department of Vocational Skills Development in the State Office, emphasized the importance of discipline and dedication during the training period. He underscored the agency’s commitment to monitoring and evaluation, ensuring participants’ adherence to program requirements.
In response, Miss Ann Moses, speaking on behalf of the participants, expressed gratitude to the NDE for the opportunity presented through the B-NOAS program. She acknowledged the significance of the training in fostering entrepreneurship and appreciated the support of President Tinubu’s administration in funding the initiative, recognizing it as a commendable effort in addressing unemployment challenges.