Edo State Partners With Agencies To Tackle Unemployment, Irregular Migration

The Edo Government through the state’s skills development agency, EdoJobs, has partnered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Swiss Government, to launch a community-based reintegration programme to tackle unemployment and irregular migration in Edo.

The programme was launched with the theme, “Promoting Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood for Returned Migrants and Unemployed Youths Through Community-Based Reintegration.”

Managing Director of EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, stated that the project was aimed at discovering and developing talents in the state.

In her words, “Everything that we do is about attracting the demand for highly skilled talents in Edo State and providing the demands for that talent. This project sits very much at the center of what we like to do. For us, the major thing that we celebrate about this programme is that it has a lot of elements that we are passionate about including skill transfer, engagement with the private sector and collaboration among various partners.”

Senior Programme Manager, IOM, Lagos, Saskia Kok, said the programme will contribute to improved and sustainable reintegration of returned migrants and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.

In her words “the project would set up a multipurpose vocational skills training facility combined with a wood factory to be implemented in collaboration with the private sector and EdoJobs to assist returnees, potential migrants and unemployed youths within their communities to have access to socioeconomic opportunities.”

Swiss Embassy Representative, Manuel Muhleback, also noted that the creation of job opportunities for young Nigerians has become imperative with the country’s rising unemployment as well as the impact of the outbreak of coronavirus.