The National Directorate of Employment (NDE)’s Director-General, Mallam Abubkar Nuhu Fikpo, has stated that the Directorate’s unwavering efforts to collaborate with President Muhammadu Buhari’s dedication to generating employment opportunities for Nigeria’s hordes of jobless individuals are beginning to show results.
Speaking at the NDE’s Special Day at the just concluded Kano International Trade Fair, Mallam Fikpo disclosed that between late 2021 and early 2022, the Directorate had taught, empowered, and helped about 4,198, 744 unemployed Nigerians who were now working direct or indirect jobs.
The NDE Director-General went on to say that the faithful execution of the Directorate’s four main programs has had a good effect on Nigerians and produced respectable jobs that should be celebrated.
Vocational Skills Development (VSD), Small Scale Enterprises (SSE), Rural Employment Promotion (REP), and Special Public Works (SPW) are the essential programs, in his opinion.
“His belief in the effectiveness of skill acquisition training, which has globally demystified the seemingly insurmountable challenges of unemployment and poverty, has been reinforced by the realities and evidence of breakthrough emanating from self-employment initiatives,” he said.
Mallam Fikpo continued, stating that the basic purpose of NDE’s participation at trade shows is to give beneficiaries of various NDE schemes and programs a chance to highlight their dedication and efforts.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, who also holds the positions of Board Chairman and Supervisory Minister of NDE, Festus Keyamo, spoke on the theme of the Trade Fair, “Unlocking the Export Opportunities through AFCTA for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Development.” He stated that the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, is working nonstop to guarantee that domestic products are well-graded to meet all international standards in order to gain access to the global market.
The Minister stated, “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined, even in its last lap, to strengthen economic relationship with all other African nations.” The government, he said, has been the driving force behind the establishment and success of the African Continental Free Trade Zone Area (AFCTA) because it recognizes the need for African markets to grow and prosper.
He commended the NDE for its ability to shift the mindset of Nigerians, particularly the younger and female demographic, from the typical pursuit of the elusive white-collar professions to one of entrepreneurship and skill development.
“Today’s youth are aware that a paper certificate alone, without transferable skills, will lead to poverty and unemployment not only in Nigeria but throughout the world.”
The Minister, the NDE Director-General, and the dignitaries in attendance visited the NDE pavilion and exchanged gifts, which were among the highlights of the Special Day event.
Among the other dignitaries in attendance were Aliyu M. Mustapha, the interim director-general of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), and Ahmed Aminu, the chairman of the chamber.
