By Sani Wakili, Jalingo
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed cash loans and starter packs to 169 unemployed women and youths in Taraba State under the Renewed Hope Job Creation Initiative. The resettlement and disbursement ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Jalingo, with beneficiaries, including persons with special needs, receiving financial and material support.
The 169 beneficiaries were selected from a total of 978 individuals who had undergone rigorous training in various skills as part of the initiative. Nationwide, 93,731 people are benefitting from the programme, according to the NDE.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the NDE, Mr. Silas Agara, represented by the Taraba State Coordinator, Mr. Chris Bamsida, described the initiative as a collaborative effort to reduce unemployment and empower the youth.
“This disbursement is more than just financial support. It symbolizes hope, empowerment, and the transformation of lives,” Agara stated. “The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to job creation, poverty alleviation, and economic self-sufficiency.”
He added that by investing in skills and entrepreneurship, the NDE aims to reduce unemployment, enhance productivity, and strengthen local communities. “These beneficiaries will, in turn, become employers of labour, creating a ripple effect that benefits families and the state,” he noted.
The Head of Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) at the NDE in Taraba, Mr. Sulaiman Bwala, urged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities presented to them, reminding them that the programme, launched in December 2024, was designed to create sustainable employment.
Also speaking, the Member representing Ardo Kola, Karim Lamido, and Lau Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Muhammed Lauya, through his representative, Dr. Isa Muhammed, encouraged beneficiaries to view the gesture as a responsibility to empower themselves and others. “This initiative is not just about receiving help; it is about becoming employers of labour,” he said.
Similarly, the Member representing Jalingo, Yerro, and Zing Federal Constituency, Sadiq Tafida, represented by Engr. Yusuf Iliya JP, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the programme, cautioning beneficiaries against selling their empowerment tools.
The Chief of Staff at the TY Danjuma Government House, Jalingo, Mr. Jeji Williams, represented by Hon. Yakubu Gagare, also warned beneficiaries against hoarding knowledge, urging them to mentor others.
Expressing gratitude, one of the beneficiaries, Sunday Francis, said, “This support has changed my status from nobody to somebody. I am now ready to create job opportunities for others.” Another beneficiary, Hadiza Idris, a person with a disability, added, “I never thought I would get such an opportunity. This is life-changing.”