The Federal Government, on Friday, launched a job creation programme expected to provide opportunities for 93,731 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) is structured to include a minimum of 10 beneficiaries selected from each of 8,809 electoral wards to undergo training across 30 skill sets under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) four core programmes.
Speaking during the flag-off at Bwari Area Council, Abuja, NDE Director-general, Silas Agara, disclosed that 3,000 slots have been allocated specifically for persons with special needs across all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Agara explained that 40,000 youths among the beneficiaries will receive training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital skills with the aim to future-proof the workforce for global competitiveness.
He said, “The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is our modest short-term effort at addressing the scourge of unemployment in Nigeria.
“The current employment initiative has been designed to engage a total of 93,731 unskilled and unemployed persons across Nigeria. Inclusiveness has been a cardinal consideration as we designed this programme.
“These programmes include Vocational Skills Development, Small Scale Enterprises, Rural Employment Promotion, and Special Public Works.
“Various categories of the unskilled and unemployed, such as school leavers, school dropouts, women, graduates of tertiary institutions, retirees, and persons with special needs, have been provided for within the framework of the program.
“I would like to add that after the training, a good number of beneficiaries will be resettled into productive entrepreneurial lives through the provision of tools, equipment, and startup capital.
“However, for those we cannot resettle immediately, we will facilitate connections with credit-granting institutions for further support.
“NDE, under my watch, has ensured the adoption of cutting-edge technology in designing and executing this program. For instance, all applicants registered through our online portal, enabling us to establish, for the first time, a credible database of our beneficiaries.”