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Tag: NDE

  • NDE defends FG’s selection of beneficiaries for 93,731 jobs

    NDE defends FG’s selection of beneficiaries for 93,731 jobs

    Mr Silas Agara, Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), said  the selection of  beneficiaries for the Federal Government’s 93,731 jobs for unskilled and unemployed persons was credible.

    He made the disclosure on Friday during the orientation and inauguration of the ‘Renewed Hope Employment initiative 93,731 Jobs’ and empowerment for programme held at the NDE Training Centre in Kaduna.

    “Inclusiveness has been a cardinal consideration as we designed this programme. We have ensured that a minimum of 10 persons from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria were recruited to benefit from the 30 skill sets across our four core programmes.

    “NDE under my watch has ensured the adoption of cutting edge technology in the design and execution of this programme,” he said.

    Represented by the acting Director, North-West, Danjuma Shehu, Agara explained that 40,000 out
    of the 93,731 persons enrolled in the programme would  be receiving training in ICT and digital skills.

    According to him, the initiative was a deliberate step by the NDE  to equip the youths with emerging skills that would enable them to become globally competitive.

    Earlier, the acting State Coordinator, Hajiya Halima Waziri, stated that many people applied for the programme online but only  2,693 beneficiaries were selected  for  the state .

    She explained that the directorate would provide vocational, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills training.

    Similarly, it would provide complementary transient jobs opportunities in the public works sector using over 30 different skills sets.

    Waziri added that start-up capital, equipment and working tools would be provided for deserving participants at the end of the training.

    She stated that others would be linked to credit granting institutions to access loans.

    Waziri urged the participants to be serious with the programme by being punctual and paying attention to the  lessons to be taught.

    Meanwhile,some of the participants appreciated the government for the initiative, saying it would help tackle unemployment in the country.

    Mannan Benjamin, a graduate of Chemical Engineering said he was happy to be part of the participants, saying that he applied to learn Data Analysis due to the high demand of the skill.

    Similarly, Surayya Waziri, a student, who applied  for Agriculture said she was  hoping to learn Fishery.

  • NDE trains 30 Kogi people on Environmental Beautification

    NDE trains 30 Kogi people on Environmental Beautification

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has commenced a training scheme for thirty (30) unemployed youth on Environmental Beautification in Kogi state.

    NDE also said 50 people will benefit from the first phase of the Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS) under the Special Public Works Department.

    The Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo who was represented by the Kogi state Coordinator, Abubakar Zakari while speaking during the flag off on Wednesday said that the participants on environmental beatification scheme will be trained on moulding, laying of interlock blocks, tiles, plaster of Paris (POP) and raising of nurseries/flowers for a period of three months.

    The Director General said that other beneficiaries of the Graduate Attachment Scheme are to undergo a three months internship with corporate Government, Private and None Governmental organisations.

    Fikpo said that the objective of the scheme is to close skills gap; improve employability of the youths and build a competent workforce with a view creating competitive edge to talents for their retention in organisation where they served.

    He said that the programme is aimed at enabling beneficiaries become self-employed and contribute their quote to the growth of the nation’s economy.

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    Earlier, the the Head of Special Public Works Department, Mr. Toyin Ajibade charged participants to uphold the saying that there is dignity in labour and urged them to take their training very serious, describing the training as a rare privilege to the beneficiaries.

    A physically challenged graduate, Mrs Ohize Rofiat while responding on behalf of other participants applauded the federal government for the opportunity given them.

  • NDE Commences ‘Enviropreneurship’ training for unemployed Kogi Youths

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) commenced training of 30 unemployed youths in Kogi State on ‘Enviropreneurship’ Development Initiative.

    The training commenced on Tuesday in Lokoja, the State Capital under its Special Public Works Employment Generation and Wealth Creation Programme aimed at empowering unemployed youths to be self-reliant.

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    Speaking at the orientation and sensitization ceremony for the participants, the Director-General of National Directorate of Employment, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said the training is targeted at converting hitherto waste materials into useful finished products to improve upon the socio-economic wellbeing of the society.

    The Director-General was represented by the Kogi state Coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Zakari.

    The DG said there was abundant wealth in the waste materials in any given environment and reminded the trainees of the need to utilise the opportunity.

    He assured them that after the three months intensive training, participants will become potential Enviropreneurs.

    In his welcome address, the Head of Special Public Works Department, Kogi NDE, Mr. Toyin Ajibade charged beneficiaries to avail themselves of the opportunity which he said will surely make them to be self-reliant and employers of labour.

    He said the training will also give them the capacity to contribute their quota to the development of their immediate communities.

    Ajibade affirmed that White Collar Jobs are not enough to accommodate the growing number of unemployed graduates on yearly basis hence the need to embrace the rare privilege offered them by the federal government through the NDE.

    To facilitate effective programme implementation and delivery in Kogi state, Miss Deborah Uyo Okpanachi Staff of NDE headquarters, was in the state to conduct compliance check on the participants of Enviropreneurship Development Scheme.

    Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr. Bola Omoniyi, thanked the federal government and NDE for the gesture which he promised would be judiciously utilised.

    “We will reciprocate the gesture by making good use of the job creation knowledge acquired during the training” he stressed.

  • JUST IN: Buhari approves appointment of Fikpo as NDE DG; Issa Aremu as Director, National Institute for Labour Studies

    JUST IN: Buhari approves appointment of Fikpo as NDE DG; Issa Aremu as Director, National Institute for Labour Studies

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo as the substantive Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that before now, Fikpo has been the Acting DG of the agency.

    According to a statement released by President Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the appointment is for a period of four years effective from 18th May, 2021.

    In addition, Buhari also approved the appointment of Issa Aremu as the substantive Director of the National Institute for Labour Studies.

    Before his appointment, Aremu has been a notable Trade Unionist who has risen through the ranks in the Trade Union hierarchy in Nigeria.

    His appointment is also for a period of four years effective from 18th May, 2021.

  • FG commences 774,000 jobs programme with distribution of wheelbarrows, head pans

    FG commences 774,000 jobs programme with distribution of wheelbarrows, head pans

    The federal government (FG) has distributed wheelbarrows, head pans and other equipment to unemployed youths as the Expanded Special Public Works Programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration commenced on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo officially flagged off the Special Public Works Programme, the 774,000 jobs for the South-South Geopolitical zone at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Asaba, capital of Delta State.

    In his keynote address, Keyamo, who was represented by the Executive Director, Cabotage Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, said the Extended Special Public Works Programme is an outcome of the Pilot Special Public Works Programme in the rural areas approved by President Buhari and implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    He said the programme was aimed at shielding the most vulnerable from the ravaging effects of COVID-19 pandemic, which he said include pervasive hunger, poverty, environmental degradation and joblessness.

    “Although the Expanded Special Public Works (ESPW) is an ephemeral strategy to last for three months, 5th January-4th April 2021.

    “I am convinced that it will provide the necessary economic palliatives to these 774,000 unemployed youths.

    “Let me emphasise that the youth who diligently participate in this project implementation may then deploy the knowledge and skills acquired to become self-employed while government and the organised private sector may in due course create or provide exit options,” he said.

    At the flagging off event, Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa commended the Federal Government on the commencement of the Expanded Special Public Works Programme in the country.

    Represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa expressed excitement on the commencement of the Programme adding that the program will help curb unemployment in the country.

    He advised the beneficiaries to see the opportunity as their little beginning while looking to the unveiling of similar projects to engage more Nigerians out of poverty.

    He enjoined the 25,000 beneficiaries in Delta to see this as an opportunity to grow the economy of the state and nation.

    “Here in Delta we have also engaged several youths into our various jobs creation platforms. We have scaled this up by engaging over five ministries in this regard.

    “We look forward to much more collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and the State Government.

    “Let me appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for not making this project and program a political one because hunger and poverty do not know political party.

    “When you check the economic effects of this programme, you will appreciate the fact that in Delta alone, 25, 000 indigenes are benefiting from the programme.

    “When you also look at the multiplier effect of N20,000 per 1,000 beneficiaries across the 774 local government areas bringing the number to the 774,000 persons you’re talking about N15 billion naira being put into the Nigerian economy currently in the hands of the poorest of the poor,” Governor Okowa stated.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Acting Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Mallam Abubakar Fikpo ,said the programme was a significant step in Nigeria’s quest to win the war against mass unemployment as well as to ameliorate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

    Represented by the Delta State Coordinator of the NDE, Mr Anthony Olu said the Extended Special Public Works (SPW) programme was designed as a veritable tool through which the lives of 774,000 unemployed Nigerians will be positively touched in the next three months.

    He said beyond the monetary compensation to the beneficiaries, the communities will receive a facelift through the activities of the participants as they will engage in various community and environment specific works activities ranging from, drainage clearing and maintenance, vegetation control, feeder roads maintenance, irrigation, great green wall and orchard maintenance among others.

    In his goodwill message, Chairman Delta State Selection Committee, Professor Kelly Ejumudo, congratulated the participants for being selected and urged them to save from the little earnings to make life better for themselves.

    He said the programme was geared towards benefiting the public adding that no government can totally eliminate poverty but every government must take concrete actions to reduce cycle of poverty.

  • Reps make case for sacked NDE DG

    Reps make case for sacked NDE DG

    The House of Representatives has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his decision on the sacking of Dr Nasiru Ladan as Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Olajide Olatubosun (APC-Oyo) at plenary on Tuesday.

    Contributing to the debate, Rep. Luke Onofiok (PDP-Akwa Ibom) said that the sack was ill advised.

    He said that although Buhari meant well for the nation, his advisers were giving him wrong information.

    Onofiok said that the sacked Director-General stood for what was right, blaming his travails on some element opposed to due process.

    Moving the motion earlier, Olatubosun said that in October 2019, Buhari approved a Special Public Works Programme for NDE in eight states.

    He said that the pilot programme was implemented in Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina and Kwara.

    Olatubosun said that the president approved that the NDE employ 774,000 unemployed persons under an expanded Special Public Works Programme in all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.

    The lawmaker said that the National Assembly appropriated N52 billion in 2020 for the Special Public Works Programme out of which each beneficiary will be paid N20,000 per month over a period of three months.

    “The Minister of State for Labour inaugurated state selection committee for each state of the federation while the NDE as part of its statutory mandate was responsible for the registration of the beneficiaries.

    “The state selection committees in most states bypassed and ignored the list of beneficiaries compiled by NDE and forwarded a separate list of beneficiaries to the office of the Minister of State for Labour.

    “Most Nigerians that submitted their names to the NDE offices in their respective states were unjustly excluded from this programme which the Minister of State for Labour announced will start on Jan. 5.

    “Worried that if the programme was allowed to go ahead without due process, a bad precedent would have been set for the programme, the house resolved to urged the Minister of State for Labour to stop with immediate effect all processes leading to its commencement on Jan.5,” he said.

    The lawmaker said that until the list of beneficiaries compiled by the NDE in each state was used as a basis of selection, the programme will remain suspended.

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila mandated Committees on Labour and Productivity and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and report back in one week for further legislative actions.

  • BREAKING: Reps halt FG’s 774,000 job scheme, condemn sack of NDE boss

    BREAKING: Reps halt FG’s 774,000 job scheme, condemn sack of NDE boss

    House of Representatives has passed a resolution mandating the Minister Of State For Labour Festus Keyamo (SAN), to stay action on the planned January 2021 implementation of the Special Public Works Programme of the Federal Government.

    The reps passed the resolution on Tuesday, saying the programme will not be implemented until a comprehensive list of beneficiaries from the Nigerian directorate of employment is made available.

    Under the programme, 774,000 people are expected to be recruited by the Federal Government, with the sum of N52 billion, earmarked in the 2020 budget.

    1,000 persons are to be employed from each of the 774 Local Government Areas in the country, for the programme which is said to be a post-COVID-19 poverty alleviation initiative, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    As of July when the program had initially been billed to commence on October 1, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said each beneficiary is expected to be paid N20,000 monthly.

    Meanwhile, the House on Tuesday also condemned the removal of the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and calling for his immediate reinstatement.

    Before his removal, the NDE DG had publicly claimed that the agency had not been carried along by the Minister of State over the implementation of the programme.

    The motion was moved by representative Olajide Olatunbosun.

    According to the House, the president was ill-advised to sack the DG who was simply insisting on following the right procedures.

  • FG announces replacement for sacked NDE DG

    FG announces replacement for sacked NDE DG

    The Federal Government has appointed Mallam Abubakar Fikpo as the Acting Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to replace Dr. Nasiru Argungu who was sacked from the position on Dec.7

    Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State, Labour and Employment, confirmed the appointment in a letter titled “Appointment as Acting Director General of National Directorate of Employment” and addressed to Fikpo on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “Following the directive of Mr President relieving Dr Nasiru Argungu as the Director General of the NDE, you are hereby directed to take over as the Acting Director General of the Agency pending ratification by Mr President.

    “This is to ensure there is no vacuum in the administration of the Agency,” the minister said.

    Keyamo, who is also the Supervising minister of the agency, said the directive takes effect from Monday, 7 Dec.

    The minister enjoined the Acting Director General to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Agency, while also ensuring a proper handing over to him by Dr Nasiru Argungu of all government property in his possession.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Dec. 7 relieved Dr Nasiru Argungu of his post as the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, with a directive to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment to propose an Acting Director-General from among the Senior Directors of NDE based on competence and seniority.

  • Buhari sacks NDE boss, Argungu

    Buhari sacks NDE boss, Argungu

    President Muhammadu Buhari has relieved Dr Nasiru Argungu of his position as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    The president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He revealed that the president’s directive on the sacking of Argungu was issued on Friday, but effective from Monday, Dec. 7

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, who supervises the agency, has been directed to nominate an acting Director General from amongst the most Senior Directors in the NDE ”until a substantive holder of the post is appointed by Mr President”.

    Shehu said the acting Director General should be nominated based on competence and seniority in service.

  • 774,000 jobs: Senate snubs Keyamo, insists NDE must carry out recruitment exercise

    774,000 jobs: Senate snubs Keyamo, insists NDE must carry out recruitment exercise

    The Senate, on Tuesday, insisted that it is the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) that is statutorily empowered to carry out the recruitment of 774,000 low skilled Nigerians for the special public works scheme.

    Recall that the Senate and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Kayamo SAN have been at daggers drawn over who should carry out the recruitment.

    While Keyamo insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari specifically directed him to carry out the recruitment, the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment thinks otherwise.

    According to the Senate panel, the NDE is to anchor the recruitment under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    However, the Upper Chamber following a motion moved by the Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), insisted that the implementation of the scheme remained under the purview of the NDE.

    The Senate argued that the N52 billion appropriated for the programme was done under the budget of the NDE for implementation.

    It therefore asked the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity to stick to its supervisory role.

    “The appropriation of 52 billion for the 774,000 public works scheme is vested in the NDE and therefore must be implemented accordingly, while acknowledging the supervisory role of Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity,” the Senate said in its resolution.

    Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his closing remarks, said the National Assembly still stands on the fact and the law that NDE is entirely responsible for the implementation of the programme.

    “The ministry has supervisory role and the National Assembly has the oversight function,” Lawan said.

    He assured that the National Assembly would oversight the scheme very closely so that Nigerians benefit.