The Federal Government has inaugurated the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative in Oyo State, a collaborative program designed to tackle youth unemployment through skills acquisition and job creation. The initiative is spearheaded by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Unveiling the program in Ibadan, the Director-General of the NDE, Dr. Silas Agara, represented by Oyo State NDE Coordinator, Steve-Ogundipe Olayinka, emphasized the program’s focus on empowering unemployed youth with the tools and resources necessary for economic independence and self-reliance.
Agara explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to address unemployment on a national scale.
“It is worthy to note that under the Renewed Hope Mass Employment Creation Initiative, the Directorate today officially kick-starts vocational, agricultural, and entrepreneurial skills training alongside transient job opportunities in the public works sector using over 30 different skill sets,” he said.
He highlighted that the initiative targets 93,731 unskilled and unemployed individuals across Nigeria, with plans to provide start-up capital, equipment, and working tools to deserving participants upon completing their training. Others will be connected with credit institutions to access loans for medium or large-scale businesses.
“This job creation initiative is designed to empower the unemployed and unskilled school leavers through training in trendy vocational and technical skills, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to economic growth, which would, in turn, boost the GDP,” Agara added.
He urged participants to make the most of the training opportunity, describing it as a “golden chance” to achieve their dreams of becoming skilled and self-reliant.
Agara also praised the Oyo State Government, local council chairmen, stakeholders, and master trainers for their support in imparting vocational skills to the state’s unemployed youth.
The initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing unemployment and fostering economic development across the country.
