BY ANKELI EMMANUEL,SOKOTO
Hajiya Zailhatu Ladan, one of the trainers of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Sokoto State has appealed to the Federal Government through the agency to urgently consider organising skills acquisition training for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
Zailhatu, who is a trainer in Weaving and Knitting, said self employment through skills gives more financial stability than white collar jobs which most Nigrian youths are craving for.
Giving reasons for her appeal that those in IDPs should be trained on skills urgently, Zailhatu said they are vulnerable because of their circumstances and if not engaged stands a chance of becoming potential dangers in the near future judging by their experiences.
Speaking during the flagging off orientation ceremony for youths transformative training scheme at the premises of NDE in Sokoto, Zailhatu said with skills, you are not only self employed, but also a potential employer of labour.
“Do not forget, most salary earners gets money once in a month and before the salary is paid, most of them must have spent them on diverse family and personal needs. However, for those with handiworks, their earnings is mostly on daily basis hence people are always in need of there services”.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Director General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Nuhu Fipko represented by Sokoto State head of Human Resources Department, Abubakar Luckman said the training will have long term positive impact on the youths.
Fipko who stressed that this second phase of the training scheme is designed to as a response to the growing demands of modern vocational and technical skills to sharpen the youth capabilities in high income generating economic engagement, added that, it will also help reduce begging, rural urban migration, create pool of artisans needed in rural areas.
The DG also affirmed that the scheme will help in reducing anti-social vices, banditry, drug additions, prostitutions, armed robbery as well as kidnapping and help boost community economy amongst others.
On his part, Malam Abubakar Idris, the Head of Vocational Skills Department in a welcome address, assured that all trainees will also be paid 5000 monthly during the duration of the training.
Abubakar who assured that the trainees will be abreast with technological advancement in the ever increasing competitive markets, added that, it will be empower them to live, learn and work as productive citizens in a global society and remain in tune with national development.
The NDE Head of Vocational Skills Development Department, (VSD) from Abuja, Jamila Suleiman in her goodwill message, divulged that the department is aimed at training school leavers, unemployed graduates and vulnerable individuals and all others that are ready to be trained in vocational skills.
“We make provision to train anybody that wants to be trained until they become proficient in their chosen careers”.
In her appeal to the lucky trainees, Hajiya Jamila said they should take the training serious so that they can help impact the knowledge into others as a way of reducing the ever increasing unemployment.
“The training is to last for 6 and 18 months starting with basic and advanced sections. You are privileged to be selected amongst the many out there looking for the opportunity. So do not cheat yourself by not concentrating.
“Especially, we the female folk. We must understand that our husbands are equally going through pressures. Let us try to help them so that they can have some relief”.
In a vote of thanks onbehalf of others, one of the trainees,, Safiya Aliyu thanked the NDE for giving them the opportunity amongst several others out there. She also promised that they will be committed and step the training down.
