By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — IN a bid to reduce unemployment in the country, the Federal Government, yesterday, embarked on inspection of facilities for the effective take off of the Skills Acquisition Training programme in 18 states of the federation.

GRADUATE TRAINEES

The inspection tour, which started from Lagos State was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, alongside a delegation from the National Directorate of Employment, NDE.

According to a statement by Samuel Olowookere, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ngige said the Federal Government was worried over the rate of unemployment in the country and was already tackling it from different fronts.

He said: “Recall that job creation is one of the cardinal programmes of the current administration. Recall also that the Federal Government has been undaunted by severe challenges occasioned by economic recession in rescuing millions from the ugly spectre of youth unemployment bracket. This is one of the programmes through which government intends to create jobs.”

The minister said that 50,000 youths will be captured in the first phase of the training, adding that consumables and other logistics for a smooth and successful session would be provided by the government.

At the Federal Ministry of Labour Skill Training Centre, Lagos, which was the Minister’s first port of call, he was taken round to different sections of the centre such as the auto-mechanic and electrical sections, carpentry and joinery and building construction unit.