The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says the implementation of the Vocational Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme will create 140,970 direct jobs across 18 states of the federation.
Dr Dikki Raddo, Director General, SMEDAN disclosed this at the start of the three-day training programme in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Raddo, represented by Mrs Ime Andy, an Assistant Director in the agency, said the programme was designed to equip unemployed Nigerians with skills to open their businesses and employ others.
He said that the programme will generate additional 563, 880 indirect jobs from the training of 127 artisans annually in these states over the next three years.
“The training targets to provide vocational skills and empowerment to beneficiaries in tailoring, hairdressing and GSM (phone) repairs.
“The programme targets mostly artisans, those who have the skill set but don’t have the tool kit to start and grow their business.
“The trainees will receive refresher tips to enable them grow and add value to their well being and economy of the country,” he said.
Raddo said that 127 trainees are expected to participate in the training exercise in Rivers, while the same number of beneficiaries would participate in 10 other states.
The director general said that SMEDAN, under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, would also mentor the beneficiaries to run their businesses at the end of the exercise.
“So, at the end of the training, we present sewing machines to the tailors; dryers to the hairdressers and tool kits to the GSM repairers.
“The programme is expected to create 140,970 direct jobs to Nigerians at the end of the exercise.
“The whole essence of the training programme is to ensure the growth of local content in the country,” he added.
On her part, Mrs Clara Nwankpa, Rivers’ Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, thanked the Federal Government for its commitment to training youths in the state.
He said that Gov. Nyesom Wike had prioritised job creation and empowerment of youths as one of the key developmental agenda of his administration.
“So, we urge the participants to make judicious use of this rare opportunity to better their lives, families and the society at large,” she advised the beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Tamuno Boma, thanked SMEDAN for ensuring the selection process was fair and transparent and urged the Federal Government to expand the programme.
