Train women for national economic growth – NDE boss

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

The Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo has urged all the stakeholders in economic and social projects in Nigeria, to accord a pride of place to training of women in vocational skills, and entrepreneurship, for them to contribute positively to national economic growth and development of the country.

The NDE boss stated this in Osogbo Osun State Capital, while speaking through the NDE State Coordinator, Mr Julius Fakunle at the official flag off of 5-day training programme on skills acquisition in the art of making hair wigs, turban and decorative paints, organised for 30 selected participants in the state.

The training is replicated nation-wide for over one thousand beneficiaries.

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According to Mallam Fikpo, these skills are emergent and trending among women across the federation, was aimed at promoting income generation, fashion styles and aesthetics.

He said, decorative paint making, on the other hand, is similar to wall papers used in painting interior walls of the house thereby adding value to the house aesthetically.

The NDE DG, disclosed that the training was designed in such a way that the participants all over the country, will be provided a soft loan of N25,000 each, to commence the skill practice on completion of the training programme, while emphasizing 85% attendance, proper and comprehensive documentation of all eligible participants.

He noted with delight that “Nigerian Women are not lazy, but needed to be motivated and to be engaged in entrepreneurship, vocational skills acquisition and other productive ventures.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the head of Unit, Women Employment Branch (WEB) of NDE Osun State, Mrs Lydia Fabuluje, enjoined the participants to take the training programme seriously, to benefit maximally, and be able to contribute to family income generation and national economic development.