The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), H.E. Silas Ali Agara, has stressed the importance of private sector involvement in promoting good governance and creating job opportunities across Nigeria. He made this known during an inspection visit to the Ogbona Youth Forum (OYF) Skills Acquisition Centre in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
The centre, initiated by Mr. Peter Omoh Dunia, is nearing completion and is being described as a game-changer in skills development and entrepreneurship. According to the DG, the partnership between the private sector and government remains key to addressing unemployment challenges in the country.
“The private sector and influential individuals play a vital role in promoting good governance and job opportunities, complementing the efforts of the government,” Agara said.
The Ogbona Youth Forum Skills Acquisition Centre, which will feature technical facilities, is designed to provide training in over 12 different skill sets. Once completed, it is expected to offer programmes in tailoring, carpentry, entrepreneurship, and several other trades. The initiative will create opportunities for young people to acquire skills that will enable them to become job creators instead of job seekers.
Speaking on the progress of the project, Agara expressed satisfaction with the level of work already achieved. “As you can see there is visible progress across major structures. The skill centre has over 12 different skill sets. We are here to provide technical support for the project,” he said.
The DG was accompanied on the visit by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, H.E. Phillip Shuaibu, and Dr. Haruna Madisca. Their presence underlined the significance of collaboration in promoting youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development. Agara commended Mr. Dunia for aligning his efforts with the NDE’s vision of nurturing and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.
Agara also revealed that the NDE is currently training no fewer than 5000 youths in Edo State under its skill acquisition programme. He noted that the Directorate has 128 skills centres nationwide and 150 farm settlements across the country. “Currently we are training 5000 youths in Edo under our skill acquisition programme. We are impacting knowledge to the youths and women in order for them to be self-employed,” he said.
The Ogbona centre aligns with the NDE’s mandate of reducing unemployment by equipping people with vocational skills. Agara explained that the centre will provide both technical facilities and continuous support from NDE’s technical team in Edo State, ensuring its sustainability over time.
He highlighted the broader vision of the project, pointing out that the centre will contribute to improving the livelihoods of the community. “The Ogbona Youth Forum Skills Acquisition Centre promises to significantly enhance the livelihoods of the community, providing opportunities for young people to acquire the skills they need to succeed,” he said.
The DG noted that the combination of entrepreneurship development and technical training at the Ogbona centre makes it a model for skills acquisition across the country. He emphasised that the project represents a strong example of how government institutions and private individuals can work together to deliver lasting impact.
With its large-scale training facilities and wide range of skill sets, the Ogbona Youth Forum Skills Acquisition Centre is expected to play a vital role in tackling unemployment and empowering young people in Edo State. Both the NDE and Mr. Peter Omoh Dunia remain committed to ensuring the success of the initiative.
