SMEDAN TRAINS 145 IMO YOUTHS IN VARIOUS SKILLS

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

One hundred and forty-five youths in Imo State have begun training in various skill acquisition programmes of Federal Government executed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

At the commencement of a “National Business Skills Development Initiative” in Owerri, the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said the programme was part of efforts to reduce poverty, tackle unemployment and encourage micro scale enterprises.

He noted that the youth would acquire knowledge on how to manage their businesses, acquire skills and receive necessary tools to prosecute their vocation at the end of the four day exercise.

Dr. Umaru Radda, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Agency, Mrs. Chibuzo Osuoha, expressed worry about what he described as over dependence on immigrants for skilled labour by Nigerians and urged youths to strive towards self employment.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Imo State, Mr. Gill Nnah, said the economic crisis created by the outbreak of Corona virus had made it imperative for youths to embrace skills, noting that the empowerment programme of SMEDAN was in line with the policy thrust of the Imo State Government.

Some of the participants expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the initiative and promised to use the opportunity to better their lots.

The youth are undergoing training in fashion designing, catering services and hair barbing.