From Ahmad Ibrahim, Gusau
The federal government has officially launched the “Renewed Hope Employment Initiative” in Zamfara State, a collaborative effort between the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
At the unveiling ceremony in Gusau, the NDE Director-General, Dr. Silas Agara, represented by the Zamfara State NDE coordinator, Hajiya Hadiza Hamza Kolo, emphasized the program’s goal of empowering unemployed youth.
Hajiya Kolo explained that the initiative seeks to build the strength and confidence of young people by providing opportunities and resources to enhance their self-esteem and economic independence.
She stated, “It is important to note that, under the Renewed Hope Mass Employment Creation Initiative, the Directorate is officially launching vocational, agricultural, and entrepreneurial skills training, alongside transient job opportunities in the public works sector, using over 30 different skill sets.”
“This job creation initiative of the NDE aligns with six out of the eight priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she continued.
The NDE coordinator highlighted that, upon completion of the training, participants would be provided with startup capital, equipment, and tools, while others would be connected to credit-granting institutions to access loans to begin medium or large-scale businesses.
“This initiative is designed to empower unemployed and unskilled school leavers through training in trendy vocational and technical skills, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to economic development, which, in turn, will boost the nation’s GDP,” Hajiya Kolo added.
She also commended the Zamfara State Government, all local council chairmen, Honorable Abdulmalik Zubairu Zannan Bungudu (Federal Lawmaker for Bungudu/Maru), other stakeholders, and master trainers for their support, which has been instrumental in equipping unemployed youths in the state with the necessary vocational skills.