Akwa Ibom State government has expressed readiness to partner the Federal Government through the National Directorate of Employment, NDE on skill acquisition and manpower development.
The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of labour and Manpower Planning, Elder Ikoedem Ekong made this known when he led the Directors in the Ministry
on a courtesy visit to the State Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Mrs Uduak Essien.
Elder Ekong noted that they were in the Directorate for collaboration and partnership, adding that the ministry of labour and manpower planning in line with the ARISE agenda of the present administration has continued to discharge it’s responsibilities through sustained engagement with relevant stakeholders for economic growth as well as for the overall well being of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner highlighted areas of partnership to include, Data and manpower, skills acquisition and training, entrepreneur and enterprise support, agriculture and rural employment and monitoring and evaluation, stressing that Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to human capital development and job creation continues to guide the ministry.
” I assure you that this ministry is willing to collaborate and partner with you in the aforementioned areas and give you it’s full cooperation”
In her response,the State Coordinator, NDE Akwa Ibom State Office, Mrs Uduak Essien thanked the Commissioner for the visit, noting that the visit demonstrates the ministries commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration, promoting employment opportunities and advancing manpower development in the state.
Mrs Essien hinted that the Directorate since 2024 under the leadership of the Director General, Mr Ali Agara have implemented various training programmes under the Renewed Hope Employment initiatives of President Bola Tinubu.
The NDE Boss in the state who maintained that in the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment initiatives.1,539 were trained, while the second phase has 1,019 people trained and 694 people were currently undergoing training.
Mrs Essien however seized the opportunity to appeal to the state government for support for skill acquisition programs across the three senatorial districts, mobile training facilities, vehiclar support amongst others.
The Commissioner later Visited Ibom leadership and entrepreneur development centre (Ibom-Led) which is one of the centres for the training in integrated smart commerce and creative skills training scheme under small scale development.
