The National Directorate of Employment has empowered 300 Akwa Ibom youths and vulnerable group in the Special Micro-Empowerment Scheme programme.

The Deputy Director, NDE, Dr. Olusegun Akinremi, said this in Uyo on Tuesday during the disbursement of the fund to the beneficiaries.

Akinremi, who represented the Director General, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, stated that the development was in line with the Federal Government Transformation Agenda to reduce youth unemployment in the country.

He revealed that N3m would be given to the beneficiaries in the state to start their micro businesses.

“The unemployed youths, women and vulnerable groups have benefited from the scheme to become self reliant.

“In Akwa Ibom State, 300 participants have been identified from two selected local Government Areas in the three Senatorial Districts for the disbursement of a total sum of N3m to start micro businesses,” he said.

He added that the beneficiaries would be involved in businesses like recharge card, selling food stuffs, and palm oil production, among others.

The state coordinator, NlDE, Mrs. Patience Osunkwo, said that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to fight the menace of mass unemployment in the nation.

She added that each beneficiary would be entitled to N10,000 to run a small business of his or her own to improve on their livelihood.

Osunkwo stated that the benefiting local government areas include Esit Eket and Okobo in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, and Uruan and Itu in Akwa Ibom North senatorial district.

She added that other benefitting local governments in the Akwa Ibom West Senatorial District Include Etim Ekpo and Ikono local government areas.

She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the loan to enable others benefit from the scheme also.

Source: Punch