NILEST, UNDP empowers over 90 artisans

The Nigerian Institute of Leather, Science and Technology (NILEST), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has empowered over 90 artisans in the leather industry.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said that such initiative would bring to the IDP camp a level of joy to citizens undergoing a moment of agony. Adding that, “this is giving a new lease of life and opportunity to believe in them working for the greatness of our dear nation.”

Onu made this statement at the matriculation and graduation ceremony of NILEST-UNDP sponsored training programme on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister commended the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science and Technology (NILEST), the United Nations Development Programme and European group for their support in nation building of the country.

He further said that the knowledge acquired was not in vain, adding that a product produced should be one that can sell in the market, marking as a means to create more jobs to reduce the unemployment sector.

Earlier, the Acting Director-General NILEST, Dr Eucharia Ngozi Oparah, said the Institute graduated 34 trainees from Kogi and Plateau states respectively.

“We are gathered here today to graduate thirty-four (34) trainees from Kogi and Plateau States that forms the first batch of the programme. Having successfully completed the three (3) months training programme on leather and products manufacturing, the trainees have now been certified as specialised artisans in leather craft. And we are also gathered to matriculate Forty-eight (48) trainees from the Internally Displaced persons’ (IDP) camps from Borno state who will be undergoing six (6) months training programme in NILEST Abuja Centre.

Speaking, the representative of the Country Director UNDP, Mr Mathew Alamu, said the programme aims at the trainees taking advantage of the opportunity as a life changing moment that will help build family and economy of the Northeast. 

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