By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) through its Special Public Works Department, on Friday, flagged-off orientation for 30 participants of the Enviropreneurship Development Scheme (EDS) in Sokoto State.
Flagging off the EDS, the State Coordinator of NDE, Mrs. Eunice Danmallam, implored participants to always think about what they can do to make a positive impact in their generation and country.
Mrs. Danmallam added that the President, Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, has not only initiated but also implemented several schemes aimed at creating wealth for the unemployed Nigerians. She further appealed to all the beneficiaries of NDE programs to make optimal use of the knowledge gained to create wealth for themselves.
The NDE State Coordinator, Mrs. Eunice Danmallam, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said enviropreneuship is all about, "bringing market principles to resolve environmental problems".
On this note, she said, "the EDS is geared towards improving environmental sustainability to increase socio-economic activities, generate employment opportunities, encourage wealth creation, and impact in poverty reduction efforts in the country.
"This, therefore, means, interested unemployed persons will be attached to various workshops of their interest in recycling existing waste materials/resources which will in turn benefit present and future generations".
Mrs. Eunice also added that the EDS will help create environmental maintenance awareness amongst people living in the communities nationwide.
The NDE State Coordinator further disclosed that a stipend of ten thousand nairas only will be paid to participants for each of the three months of the training.
Speaking earlier, the HOD, Special Public Works Department of the NDE, Malam Yunusa Jibril, represented by Ibrahim Muhammed, said the scheme will help reduce the impact of poverty in the country. He however urged participants to be punctual in their respective places of primary assignments, adding that they will be converting waste to wealth.
One of the trainers, Moyi Bello, who has Moyi Electricals, said he will be training participants on how to repair fans, refrigerators, pressing irons, and other electronics.
On his part, another trainer, Malam Suleiman who is the chairman of Aluminium Pot Makers Association of Sokoto, said people with skills are more satisfied working for themselves than for others.
Responding in their separate appreciation on behalf of the participants, Bilyaminu Sani and Malam Aminu Suleiman, said participants should count themselves very lucky to have been remembered by the government, adding that, "being an entrepreneur leading to self-sufficiency is what makes stable wealth".
Bilyaminu also appealed to all students on strike to take advantage of the period to acquire vocational skills, as according to him, no knowledge gained is a waste. NNL.
