The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Wednesday said it has recruited some 400 unemployed residents for entrepreneural training under its Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (BNOAS).

Dr Nasiru Argungu, Director-General of NDE, while speaking to the beneficiaries during an orientation ceremony in Yenagoa, said the programme is part of the Federal Government’s plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Argungu, who was represented by the State Coordinator for NDE in Bayelsa, Mr. Aham Osuchukwu, said that the 400 beneficiaries would undergo training in 11 skill areas.

He listed the fields to include Computer Appreciation, Hair Dressing, Aluminium Fabrication, Catering, Interior Decoration, Fashion Design, Welding and Fabrication, Video Coverage and Photography, Makeover, Dish Installation and Electrical Installation.

He advised the beneficiaries who were shortlisted out of numerous job seekers to utilise the opportunity to acquire the relevant skills to enable them to be self-reliant and create jobs for others.

Dr Argungu said: “You will recall the pledge by President Muhamadu Buhari to life 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. This programme is a component of it. By going through this training you can take your destiny in your hands and harness abundant opportunities in the informal sector.

“The NDE is tackling unemployment by creating opportunities for the unemployed to acquire skills and we enjoin the unemployed to visit the NDE job centres and select from the array of available schemes.

“It is no longer fashionable to say I don’t have a job. The fashionable saying now is, if you don’t have a job, create a legal one. We cater for every caliber of persons in the society from the vulnerable to the retiree.

“I admonish you to channel your youthful energy towards skills acquisition and become proficient in your chosen field rather than roaming endlessly for elusive jobs. An idle mind and hand is the devil’s instrument for creation of chaos in the society.”

The NDE DG called on other ties of government, philanthropists and corporate organisations to partner the NDE in the task of reducing unemployment and thanked the Bayelsa government for providing an enabling environment for NDE scheme to thrive in the state.

James Ibid, one of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of others, applauded the government for the scheme and pledged to make good use of the opportunity.

Mr. Jordan Awudu who represented the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Daniel Igali, advised the beneficiaries to be obedient and humble to their trainers to enable them learn.

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