The National Directorate of Employment, NDE Abia has flagged off a three days intensive training for 50 youths in Abia state on Small Stock (Goat) Production Training Scheme (SSGPTS).
Delivering the keynote address of the NDE Director General, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, the Abia State NDE Coordinator, Mrs Tessy Nwachukwu, encouraged the participants to give the training the utmost commitment it deserves as Abia State is one out of only eleven (11) states with the FCT selected to run the training.
He expressed optimism that the training will help close the skills gap that has existed among the unemployed young graduates and school leavers.
Speaking also, the Director, Rural Employment Promotion Department, Mr. Edem Duke, who was represented at the ceremony by Mrs. Chikaodi Okereke, said that the training was geared towards equipping the unemployed youths with innovative skills on Small Stock Goat Production along its value chain which will play a significant role in the socio-economic development of the farming community.
The Head of Department, Rural Employment Promotion Department, NDE Abia, Mrs Stella Chukwuekezie in a brief speech, charged the participants to take advantage of the training as opportunities await them in the society
Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr Francis Ibenye, thanked the Federal Government and the Directorate for approving the training and for selecting Abia State as one of the few selected states to run the programme, also promised to put in their best during the training so as to become employers of labour at its end.