Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has opened talks with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to strengthen job creation and promote skill acquisition as part of the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s plans to produce more entrepreneurs in the state.
The move was initiated by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, during a meeting with NDE delegates at the Government House in Benin City.
Mrs. Anani emphasized the importance of small businesses as the backbone of the economy, noting their role in innovation, growth, and sustainable development. She said, “Entrepreneurship is the foundation of every society. The truth is that no society can be successful without entrepreneurs. Small-scale businesses drive the economy because they start from the bottom, the grassroots level, where money circulates more freely. With more local residents involved in these businesses, we’ll have a robust Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) contributing to Federal and State revenues.”
She commended NDE for its initiatives aimed at engaging young people in productive ventures and steering them away from harmful practices. She highlighted the Development Graduate Attachment Programme as a valuable tool in bridging the gap between formal education and employment, giving graduates opportunities for practical job experience.
The Coordinator urged the Directorate to step up its publicity efforts, particularly through radio, to ensure more residents are aware of available opportunities. She also underscored the importance of women empowerment, stressing their influence on families and the wider economy. According to her, empowering women has a multiplier effect, benefiting men, children, and society at large.
Citing the “From Farm to Table” agricultural empowerment programme as an example, she explained that it was designed to encourage women to embrace small-scale farming, even in their backyards, to boost food security and healthy eating. She added that the programme has been equipping women with farming tools and seeds while organizing competitions that reward innovation in home farming. She reminded participants that the woman with the best home farm will win a prize of ₦1 million.
On his part, the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. James Ikanoba, shared the achievements of the Directorate in tackling unemployment through skills acquisition and training programmes that cater to different groups. He said, “We’ve tackled various areas, catering for diverse groups, including those with or without formal education, students in primary, secondary, and higher institutions, and retirees. We’ve designed numerous programmes to meet the Council’s needs. We’ve conducted extensive trainings over the years.”
Mr. Ikanoba listed several initiatives targeted at boosting capacity in agriculture, vocational skills, small-scale industries, and infrastructure development. According to him, these programmes are tailored to meet the needs of women, youth, and retirees, with an emphasis on practical training, entrepreneurship, and business support.
Also speaking, the Senior Information Officer of the NDE, Mr. Oluchi Okuone, said that job creation must be seen beyond white-collar employment. He explained that artisans, small-scale industries, and informal sector workers play a critical role in economic growth. He stated that the government is drawing inspiration from countries like Singapore and China, which have invested heavily in vocational and enterprise development.
According to Mr. Okuone, the Directorate is committed to expanding initiatives such as Vocational Skills Development and Small-Scale Enterprise programmes, which are designed to strengthen entrepreneurship and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.