…Second phase of Renewed Hope Initiative to take off at Ibagwa Aka

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commended the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area and Deputy Chairman of ALGON, Enugu State, Hon. Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, for his unalloyed commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and poverty alleviation.

The commendation came in a formal letter from the Director-General of the NDE, His Excellency Silas A. Agara, which was presented to Hon. Ukwueze by the State Coordinator of the Directorate, Mr. Oluka Godwin, during a courtesy visit to the council.

Mr. Godwin, who stood in for the DG, said the recognition was in acknowledgment of the Chairman’s consistent partnership with the Directorate in tackling unemployment at the grassroots. According to him, Hon. Ukwueze’s leadership has provided a platform for meaningful engagement of youths, which aligns with the Federal Government’s vision for sustainable national development.

 “The Directorate has observed with admiration the Chairman’s passion for youth development and his commitment to poverty alleviation strategies. This is the kind of leadership we need at the local level to drive employment generation and reduce youth restiveness,” the State Coordinator said.

As part of the recognition, the NDE has approved Igbo-Eze South LGA to serve as the coordinating hub for all skill acquisition and vocational training programmes across the Enugu North Senatorial Zone. This designation positions the area as a zonal centre for enterprise development, job creation and youth empowerment initiatives.

In a related development, the Directorate announced that the second phase of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative Programme will be anchored at the Skill Acquisition Centre located in Ibagwa Aka, Igbo-Eze South. The programme, which focuses on entrepreneurship, vocational training and support for small-scale businesses, is expected to benefit hundreds of youths and women across the zone.

Responding after receiving the commendation letter, Hon. Ukwueze expressed appreciation to the NDE for recognizing his administration’s efforts. He assured the Directorate of the council’s readiness to provide an enabling environment and necessary support for the effective implementation of the training programmes.

“Our priority remains creating opportunities for our youths, empowering them with the right skills and reducing the burden of unemployment in our communities. This recognition only strengthens our resolve to continue partnering with national and state agencies for the benefit of our people,” Hon. Ukwueze stated.

Stakeholders and community leaders in attendance hailed the development, describing it as a landmark achievement that would not only empower youths of Igbo-Eze South but also attract opportunities to the wider Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

With Igbo-Eze South now designated as a skill acquisition hub, expectations are high that the council area will witness a new wave of economic activities, innovative enterprises, and reduced unemployment, further driving the Federal Government’s goal of inclusive and sustainable development.