NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF EMPLOYMENT EMPOWERS OVER 200 BENEFICIARIES WITH START UP CAPITAL IN IKORODU. Igbogbo Monarch, G.A.C member, Council Chiefs, others applaud the gesture.

In continuation of its core mandates to redress unemployment problems, create job opportunities and empower citizens, the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE) on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Igbogbo, Lagos State, provided starter capital to over two hundred persons selected from across Ikorodu Division. The beneficiaries were given seed money to grow their individual businesses into fruition.

In his welcome address, the Director of small scale enterprises Department, welcomed all to programme of the disbursement of loans, saying  it is under the micro enterprise enhancement scheme of the Small Scale Enterprise department.

"Under this scheme, women and petty traders would be empowered to enhance their business. This is an initiative of the Federal Government through the NDE to improve the standard of living of women in communities and to drive the creation of small businesses for National development.

"I know some men will also benefit from this scheme today, though it is meant for women. The amount may be small but I can assure you that if you put the money to proper use, you will be amazed at what you will achieve in  that business," he said.

The Director General of the NDE, Dr. Nasir Ladan Arugungu, who was represented  by the State Coordinator, Mrs Cerena Olayemi Edward, said at the occasion that the NDE would not rest on it’s oars all Nigerians become productive in all spheres and business endeavors. According to him, "the programme is aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by Micro Traders in the course of carrying out their daily trades in Ikorodu, Lagos state.

"Under Micro Enterprise Enhancement Scheme (MEES), Women Petty Traders would be empowered to boost their business in the bid to alleviate poverty among women as the saying goes "train a woman, train a nation". Arugungu made used of the opportunity to thank the board member and member of GAC, Lagos State, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, for ensuring that the programme came to fruition. "I thank Asiwaju Basorun immeasurably for staying with the good women of his constituency for their empowerment," he said.

"Today's milestone is a demonstration of NDE's  support to youths and to prove that the Directorate is gender sensitive. My management and I wish to congratulate our vibrant and budding women entrepreneurs for their sense of responsibility, tenacity, self realization  despite the challenges faced.

"The National Directorate of Employment has several job creation Schemes that are beneficial to all age group, gender and interest that can be keyed into. We therefore encourage our women to avail themselves when such opportunities arise by their participation in NDE programmes. Permit me to seize this opportunity to request for more sustainable collaboration between the two organizations," Arugundu added.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman,  Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Bldr. Olusesan Daini, in his remarks applauded the gesture of the federal government, through its NDE, noting that the National Directorate of Employment has performed beyond imagination under the government of All Progressives Congress, APC. He urged the hundreds of beneficiaries to count themselves lucky to have been selected from amongst several unemployed Nigerians.

Daini further commended the NDE for stemming unemployment in the country just as he noted that federal, State  and local governments' ambitious programme to provide jobs to millions of Nigerians may not be realised without the collaboration of private citizens and corporate bodies. He pointed out that most of the social problems and societal ills bedevilling the country were direct fall out of unemployment, lack of job opportunities and empowerment.

In his royal remarks, HRM Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali,Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, also in the same vein thanked Asiwaju  Olorunfunmi Basorun, the NDE and others for the gesture. He implored the beneficiaries to be determined to succeed, saying starting small may be hard but growing up a business was much easier so long as there was commitment and determination.

The Monarch acknowledged the efforts  of government in alleviating poverty, community development and welfare of it’s citizens. He praised the NDE for being a good corporate citizen and a rescuer for the downtrodden.

While giving a closing remark, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Board member, National Directorate of Employment and member, Governor Advisory Committee, Lagos State, thanked the federal government for the initiative. He urged the beneficiaries to make used of the opportunity in boosting their businesses. 

Hon. Bldr. Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Titilola Adegboyega, Vice Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mrs Bolanle Basorun, former Sole Administrator, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, traditional Chiefs from Adeboruwa Palace Igbogbo, led by Chief Jelili Oduntan, Balogun of Igbogbo land, Alhaji Abdulahi Bobomi, APC Chieftain, Hon. Adewale Bolowotan, Hon. Iyabo Salisu and Mr Shakiru Seidu, Chief of Staff, Super for Women Affairs and SA media and Strategic Planning of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA respectively, among other notable dignitaries were in attendance.

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