By Abdulrahman Abdullahi
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Oyo State, has on Wednesday, began training of 66 youths on environmental beautification.
While giving an opening remark, the NDE State Coordinator, Mrs Olayinka Olayemi, disclosed that program was an initiative of the acting Director, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo. She noted that the programme was a rare opportunity.
According to Olayemi, unemployment has persistently causing damages, said that NDE would continue to double its efforts until the worrisome situation was brought under control.
She explained that the environmental beautification programme was designed to train unemployed school leavers on hard and soft landscaping.
The NDE coordinator said that the training would also lead to acquisition of relevant skills in erosion control as well as environmental beautification, protection and sanitation.
She further stated that two beneficiaries were selected from each of the 33 local government areas, totalling 66 across the state.
The coordinator explained that the participants would be attached to master trainers for the three-month training, expected to better equip them for future challenges.
Olayemi expressed optimism that the training would transform the lives of the youth “and also deepen our collective drive towards employment generation and poverty reduction in the country.”
She, therefore, advised the youth to develop a ‘focussed and healthy attitude’ towards the scheme.
“Always remember that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. So give due seriousness and commitment to your future by adopting discipline in the course of the training,” she added.
Olayemi, therefore, implored the trainers to impact the trainees with relevant skills so as to enable them catch up on time.
Also speaking at the event, Director, Special Public Works (SPW) Department, NDE headquarters, Alhaji Idris Kwase, represented by Mrs Bimbo Olorunpomi, called on the trainees to maximise the opportunity availed them.
He also told the beneficiaries to count themselves lucky to have been selected among the thousands of applicants.
Kwase urged them to be focused and take the three-month training seriously, so as to be among the best that would be selected for resettlement after the training.
Meanwhile, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Adu Adedotun, Head of Department, SPW and Mrs Steve Ogundipe, Head of Department, Small Scale Enterprises (SSC) Department, also implored the trainees to make dedication, perseverance and act accordingly throughout the period of the training.
The trainees who spoke to Pressmen, Alebiosu Adeseye, Adekanye Oluwatobi and Lateef Olusegun, appreciated the Federal Government for the opportunity, saying that it would make them self-reliant.
They, therefore assured the government that they will maximise the opportunity provided and concentrate throughout the duration of the training.
