NDE gives Benue youths N1.8m loan, starters pack

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed N1.8 million loans and starter packs to 18 graduate beneficiaries of its School on the Wheels (SoW) scheme in Benue State. Director – General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, who disbursed the equipment and tools to beneficiaries on Thursday in Makurdi, said that the gesture was […]

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed N1.8 million loans and starter packs to 18 graduate beneficiaries of its School on the Wheels (SoW) scheme in Benue State.

Director – General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, who disbursed the equipment and tools to beneficiaries on Thursday in Makurdi, said that the gesture was aimed at combating poverty among youths.

He also noted that the disbursement of the starter kits under SOW was a practical demonstration of the practical will of the Federal Government to adequately address unemployment in the state.

Fikpo who was represented by the acting State Coordinator of NDE, Williams Agada, explained that the beneficiaries were graduates earlier trained by the agency in five vocational skills to include, shoemaking, barbing, fashion and design, welding and hair dressing.

The Head of Department (HOD), Vocational Skill Development, Ene Awosika, urged the beneficiaries not to abandon the starter kits but rather use it to fend for themselves and families.

Also, the HOD of Loans, Phillip Uleh, said each of the beneficiaries got a loan of N104,160.80, adding that the repayment plan would span through three years with a grace period of the first three months.

A beneficiary, Vande Terhile, who spoke on behalf of his other 18 colleagues, said: “We will be creating wealth and employment through the starter packs given to us. We will also use it to create a value chain in wealth creation.”