The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disclosed that it trained 2,036 unemployed youths in Imo State under the first two phases of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), with 28 beneficiaries receiving business starter packs to establish their own businesses.

The Acting Director-General of the NDE, Edmund Onwuliri, disclosed this during the resettlement ceremony for beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative Phase II held at the Federal Secretariat Hall in Owerri, Imo State.

Onwuliri said 1,001 unemployed persons benefited from vocational training under the first phase of the initiative, while an additional 1,035 youths were trained under the second phase, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 2,036.

He, however, explained that due to funding constraints, the Directorate has adopted a phased approach to resettling successful trainees, noting that 28 beneficiaries who completed the Phase II training were presented with starter packs and vocational equipment during the ceremony.

According to him, the remaining successful trainees would be empowered as more funds become available.

“The resettlement exercise will continue in batches as resources are made available. Our commitment is to ensure that every successful trainee is given the opportunity to put the skills acquired into productive use,” he said.

The acting director-general described the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative as a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at addressing unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, enterprise creation and inclusive economic growth.

He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment provided to them.

“The tools and equipment you receive today should be seen as instruments for building sustainable livelihoods. I encourage you to utilise them responsibly, apply the skills you have acquired diligently, and remain focused on your entrepreneurial aspirations.

Through hard work, innovation and perseverance, you can transform small enterprises into thriving businesses that create employment opportunities for others,” Onwuliri said.

Earlier, the Director of Special Public Works, Folashade Lanre-Ogun, congratulated the beneficiaries for successfully completing the training programme, describing the starter packs as essential tools for establishing sustainable businesses rather than mere gifts.

She urged them to remain committed to entrepreneurship and use the opportunity to become self-reliant.

Speaking, the Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Local Government Affairs, Willie Okolie Ogwo, encouraged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the skills and equipment they had received, expressing confidence that their success would inspire other young people to embrace entrepreneurship.

The Permanent Secretary, Imo State Ministry of Information, Pauline Iwuagwu, commended the NDE for equipping participants with practical skills and business tools capable of improving livelihoods and contributing to the state’s economic development.

The beneficiaries were trained in various vocational trades, including knitting, autotronics, catering, GSM phone repairs, satellite dish installation, welding and fabrication, hairdressing, electrical installation, carpentry, plumbing, POP and wall screeding, and solar installation.

Certificates and business starter packs were presented to the beneficiaries to enable them commence their businesses immediately after the training.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chimezie commended the Federal Government and the NDE for the opportunity and pledged that the equipment received would be put to productive use in building successful enterprises.

The event attracted senior officials of the NDE, including the Director of Vocational Skills Development, Chris Bamsida; Director of Human Resources, Philomena Dipo-Ojo; former Imo State Coordinator, Ngozi Iheanacho; and the current State Coordinator, Ohanu Nonyelum.

Also in attendance were senior officials of the Imo State Government, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Okeji Augustine Chidiebere; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Pauline Iwuagwu; State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ikiriko; and the State Coordinator of the National Productivity Centre, Mazi Martin Okonkwor.