The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has promised to collaborate with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to empower 20,000 Imo youths to be self-reliant by 2014.
Ihedioha, represents Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, made the promise when he inaugurated the Batch ‘A’ skill acquisition training for 500 trainees in Owerri on Friday
Represented by Dr Ernest Ibejiako, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Ihedioha also promised to give the trainees stipend and equipment at the end of their training.
“I will use this batch to train the next group, so you must be serious. You will be given identity cards and workshop clothes. The uniform you are putting on will be your ceremonial uniform.
“The items you will use to work will be made available to you on Dec. 20. If you escape from your workshops, we will trace you and collect the items from you.
“Also, there will be a bank account where your money will be paid to and if we see that you are progressing, we will add more money to you,” he said.
He said that the training was to empower the youths and depopulate the number of unemployed in the state.
The NDE state Coordinator, Mr Jaja Isichei, added that the training would make the youths self-reliant.
He itemised various trades in the training to include: Interior decoration, fashion and designing, hair dressing, computer training, GSM and generator repairs.
“Today, we are doing documentation and orientation involving the three senatorial zones: Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri in Imo.
“We have done the one of Orlu and Okigwe. Today is now the turn of Owerri and the last. After this, we will post them to their various training places,” Isichei explained.
Isichei noted that the majority of the trainees were secondary school leavers and few graduates.
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