The National Directorate of Employment [NDE] loan disbursement scheme has kicked off in Nasarawa State. The scheme, which is a federal government initiative, is part of government programmes to eliminate unemployment and poverty among the youth. The scheme operates by providing loans for individuals who have been trained to make a living through productive labour.

Speaking at the ceremony in the capital city of Nasarawa State, Lafia, the Federal Minister of Employment, Labour and productivity, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe stated that a rigorous pursuance of the objectives of the scheme would drastically reduce unemployment in the country. He said that hitherto, the country was faced with the problem of unemployment because productivity was low in the private sector. The minister stated that from reports received thus far about the scheme, beneficiaries have started to impact positively on the rural and urban areas of the country.

In a speech at the occasion, Governor Adamu congratulated the NDE for a successful kick-off of the programme in the state in which 50 participants were being granted loans at the ceremony and pledged his support for NDE efforts to eradicate poverty in the society. Turning to the participants, Governor Adamu advised them that wealth could only be attained through hard work, discipline and honesty.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the NDE, Mr. Samuel Adelabu explained that the scheme covers such employment creation areas as construction, electricity, catering, garment design and carpentry.

The Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Onje Gye-wado, top Federal and State government officials and a cross section of the business elite of Nasarawa State attended the ceremony.