The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the disbursement of financial support to 245 trained unemployed youths and women in Bayelsa State under the Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative (RHEI).
The resettlement phase of the programme was officially launched during a ceremony in Yenagoa on Thursday. Speaking at the event, NDE Director-General, Mr. Silas Agara, announced the commencement of payments to beneficiaries. He explained that the RHEI was introduced to provide financial aid to help participants establish small businesses, enhance agricultural productivity, improve rural infrastructure, and create temporary employment opportunities. According to him, these measures aim to drive economic growth and empower local communities.
Agara, represented by the Acting Bayelsa Coordinator of NDE, Mrs. Jones-Kekebou Ebimete, outlined the programme’s three core pillars: Skills Development, Resettlement, and Job Creation.
He further noted that the training of selected beneficiaries began on 9 December 2024, with NDE successfully training 650 unemployed youths, women, and persons with disabilities in Bayelsa. The training covered a range of demand-driven skills, including entrepreneurship and business management, agricultural skills, and public works activities across all eight local government areas of the state.
“This initiative marks the beginning of the resettlement phase for trained beneficiaries. Our goal is to equip them with the means to become employers themselves,” he stated.
Agara also acknowledged the contributions of state and local government authorities, as well as traditional institutions, in ensuring the successful implementation of the RHEI programme. He described the initiative as a significant step towards tackling unemployment and fostering economic development in Bayelsa.
“This programme underscores our firm commitment to building a better future for all,” he added.
He further disclosed that NDE had received support from several public and private sector organisations to ensure the initiative’s success.
The NDE Director-General reassured beneficiaries of continued assistance and urged them to make the most of the opportunity by establishing businesses that would contribute to both their personal growth and community development.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Training Officer and Head of the Vocational Skills Development Department, Mr. Okehielam Nwosu, advised beneficiaries to use their funds wisely, cautioning against misusing the loans or selling their starter packs. He encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained during training to build sustainable livelihoods.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the distribution of essential work tools, including sewing machines, tables, stools, wooden rulers, and scissors, to those trained in fashion design. Beneficiaries trained in agriculture, baking, confectionery, transient jobs, and entrepreneurship also received financial support to aid their resettlement.
One of the beneficiaries, Paul Ebiwari, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the initiative, stating that it had provided young people in Bayelsa with a chance to improve their lives.
“I am thankful to the NDE for bringing me and others closer to our dreams of becoming self-reliant,” he said.
