From TCNEWS
The National Directorate of Employment, NDE has held the flag off /orientation ceremony for the provision of facility to 48 trained participants of Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES) in Abia State.
A cross section of the participants.
The Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo whose address was delivered by the state coordinator, NDE Abia, Mrs Tessy Wachuku said that the program was in line with the mission of the Directorate to tackle the rising rate of unemployment through skills training , counselling and re-orientating the minds of the youth to embrace skill empowerment, create wealth and reduce unemployment.
He reiterated that the participants having been trained in Agric value chain activities, production, storage, marketing, Agricultural extension services and other innovative agricultural skills in the sector will use the facility to enhance their skills, create wealth and in turn become employers of labour.
In her speech, the Head Of Department of the Rural Employment Promotion Department at the NDE headquarters, Mrs Beatrice Oruoyehu who was represented by Mrs Chikodiri Okereke, who said that the ceremony was to sensitize the participants on the effective use of facility, encouraged them to use it for the purpose it was meant for.
Also speaking as the NDE Abia State Coordinator, Mrs Tessy Wachuku advised the participants never to despise the days of little beginnings and also encouraged them to invest the facility wisely in their chosen fields.
In a brief remark also, the Head of Department, Rural Employment Promotion Department, NDE Abia, Mrs Stella Chukwuekezie, thanked the Minister of State for Labour and productivity, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for approving the scheme and for selecting Abia State as one of the 14 states that benefitted from the program.
One of the graduated trainees of AES, Mrs Victoria Ekwulonu who received the facility last year gave a testimonial of how the facility gave a boost to her vegetable farming business and today she is financially free.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Mrs Ibe favour Uchenna, appreciated all the stakeholders and NDE for the honour done them to be among the few in the State to benefit from the program and promised that they will make good use of the facility.