Abuja: The Media committee members of the defunct All Progressive Congress (APC) Independent Campaign Council (ICC) state that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has been at the forefront of President Bola Tinubu's employment initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Mariah Olasehinde, coordinator of the committee, made the disclosure during a visit to the Director-General of the NDE, Hon. Silas Agara, in Abuja. Olasehinde highlighted Agara's proactive approach to national development, noting his achievements in various roles over the years. She commended his leadership qualities, referencing his previous roles as a Special Adviser, Commissioner, and Deputy Governor.
Olasehinde credited Agara's tenure as the National Coordinator of APC-ICC for mobilizing grassroots support, which contributed to the party's success in the general election that brought President Tinubu to power. She expressed gratitude for the completion and relocation of the NDE headquarters and the introduction of initiatives like the Computer Based Test (CBT) and the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), which empowers youth.
In response, Agara reiterated his commitment to contributing to President Tinubu's administration through the RHEI, reducing governance costs by ending annual rent payments with the completion of the new headquarters, and empowering youth. He emphasized his hands-on approach to supervising building work and improving staff morale by transitioning from a rented office to a permanent one.
Agara also introduced online registration for applicants, replacing the use of hardcopy forms, and initiated training and loans for start-ups. He addressed backlog issues such as arrears, promotions, and benefits, and improved office resources by acquiring new computers and printers.
The delegation to the NDE Director-General included Dr. Mariah Olasehinde, Hon. Bukky Okangbe, Mr. Jide Babalola, John Onuanyim, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, Umma Yunusa, Ibraheem Muhammad, Dr. Akaninyene Sandy, Yakub Aliyu, and Lady Lillian Akhigbe.