NDE trains 20 women on shoe, bag making in Bauchi

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a 5-day training on shoe and bag making for 20 women in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the commencement of the training in Bauchi on Tuesday, the Director General of NDE, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, said that the training was holding simultaneously across 19 Northern states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the Bauchi state Coordinator of NDE, Mr Lawan Yaya, the DG said that 740 women had been selected nationwide with 20 women per state.

He called on the beneficiaries of the training to listen attentively to their trainers and practice whatever they were being taught at home.

“Do not let your domestic duties serve as a distraction to you, create time to practice, as practice makes perfection.

“Ultimately, it is my desire that you become self-employed and thereby increase the wealth and dignity of your family,” he said.

He explained that the NDE is one of the foremost federal government agencies with the mission to design and implement job creation programmes that would promote attitudinal change, employment generation, reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation, hence the training.

Also, Ms Chikodi Ike, Head of Department (HOD), Small Scale Enterprises, NDE headquarters, said that the training was designed to generate employment, create wealth and self- employment, especially among unskilled women as unemployment has become a national problem.

Represented by Ms Justina Akoji, Principal Enterprise Development Officer(PEDO) NDE, Ike explained that the beneficiaries would be given as much as N20,000 loan each as starter packs after the training.

“It is for this purpose that this training is being conducted to empower you with both skills and funds to commence your own enterprise with ease.

“At this juncture, I wish to inform you that this five-day training will be conducted by skillful professionals who will train you on the rudiments of making shoes and bags.

“The techniques may seem difficult but as you practice, you will be able to grasp and come up with unique styles and designs for the products you will make.

“Therefore, be confident in yourself that you will soon become an expert in this skill and in the near future, you will be one of our trainers.

“Ask all necessary questions as your Trainers may not be easily available after this training,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Mariam Ibrahim, appreciated the NDE for the initiative and promised to make effective use of the knowledge gathered so as to become employers of labour.