The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is training 540 persons in Kebbi on advanced business skills, under its Extended Special Public Works Programme (ESPW).

The Director-General of the NDE, Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony of the training in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

Mr Nuhu-Fikpo said the participants would be given two-day Advanced Business Training (ABT) to enable them to start and run their businesses effectively.

“The training programme is designed as an exit strategy, after the expiration of the extended special public works programme which lasted three months,” he said.

Represented by the State Coordinator, Abdullahi Danjuma-Machika, the NDE boss said the ESPW was drawn from the three Senatorial Districts in the state,

“About 180 beneficiaries were selected from each of three zones of Kebbi state, and these brought their total to 540 beneficiaries

“We have engaged them on various tropical areas in business. How to make business choices, write proposals and establish such businesses as poultry, bakery, and hairdressing, among others.

“The same participants underwent Basic Business Training (BBT) and will now be trained on Advanced Business Development,” he said.

A cross-section of the participants when interviewed, thanked the federal government for the initiative and pledged to make good use of the training.

(NAN)