…state cashes in on Nigeria’s bilateral agreements to train youths
Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has revealed how the state government reached a deal with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to increase the state’s quota by 2000 people in the agency’s training programme for 76,400 people across states in southern part of the country.
Obaseki disclosed this at the flag-off of the skills acquisition training for 76,400 persons in southern zone of the country by the NDE, at Imaguero College, Benin City.
The governor, who revealed that the bulk of the trainees were drawn from the EdoJobs portal, said that though the agency had intended to train 2000 people in the state, his intervention led to the addition of extra 2000, totaling 4000 people being trained in various small and medium enterprises for improved livelihood.
According to him, “one of my campaign promises was to create 200,000 jobs in the state. We are doing everything to achieve that. After the elections, I went to Abuja to seek partners. I went to the World Bank and the NDE to seek support. I didn’t know I was the first sitting governor to visit the agency. The DG, at that time, promised to do everything within his power to assist us in realizing our goal for job creation.”
He continued, “When I got the notice that they wanted to train, I was told that they had 2000 slot for Edo State, but I appealed to them, intimating them on the peculiar situation we have here, especially with lack of jobs and the lure of illegal migration. The DG then agreed to add 2000 more people to be trained from Edo State.”
He assured youths that those who registered on the EdoJobs portal will be trained and matched with employers even as those with knack for entrepreneurship will be duly guided.
The governor said the state is in talks with various embassies in the country to train youths in the state and provide the right orientation for skilled migration abroad.
Director-General, NDE, Dr. Nasir Mohammed Ladan commended the Godwin Obaseki led-administration for the vision to provide 200,000 jobs for youths through skill acquisition, adding that, “a skill-based, knowledge economy is the most effective way to address the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria.”
According to Ladan, Governor Obaseki has continued to demonstrate uncommon resolve to partner the directorate to address the problem of unemployment.
He said, “NDE will further explore areas of collaboration with Edo State government in training returnees from Libya and victims of human trafficking. This will enable youths to be empowered with skills to engage in viable economic activities and better their well-being.”
