Statement by Acting UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, at the at the Matriculation Ceremony of 50 IDPs from Borno State undergoing Leather Works at the Nigeria Institute for Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Abuja Training Centre

(Protocol)

It is my honour and privilege to be with you all here, this morning, to witness the matriculation ceremony of another set of trainees (50 in numbers) from Borno state who will be undergoing training in Leather works. From the outset, allow me to acknowledge our partners, the European Union (EU) for the funding support for this initiative.

The Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen;

In the past weeks, we have conducted similar matriculation ceremonies for 550 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who will be trained in 24 trades at the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, the PAN Learning Centre, Kaduna and the Mohammet Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri. As UNDP, together with our partners, we are investing resources in these interventions because we acknowledge the urgent need for support to the people affected by conflicts. This support will help them to stand on their own and not depend on the handouts for a prolong period.

Allow me to recognize the achievements that the Government of Nigeria has scored in reclaiming territory from the insurgency group, Boko Haram. This has enabled millions of people to have hope that the future is full of prosperity. This has also allowed us and other players to provide the urgently needed early recovery and livelihoods support which is laying a solid foundation for development in the region.

The Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen;

To the trainees and beneficiaries of this support programme, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity; for some of you, this will be a life-changing opportunity. The skills you will acquire should enable you to support your families, your communities and also contribute to rebuilding the North-East. Our returns from this investment will only be positive when you succeed after undergoing the training. We will therefore, be counting on your commitment and dedication to this programme.

The Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is our hope, as UNDP, that at the end of this training, the graduates will be able to either start their own businesses or find gainful employment.  UNDP will continue to work with learning institutions to provide the skills and knowledge that victims of this decade long conflict will be able to utilize and help put them on a path to self-reliance.

We express our appreciation to the management and staff of the PAN Learning Centre, Kaduna for their indefatigable efforts at contributing towards sustainable youth empowerment, employment generation and national development through this training and other programmes.  

In conclusion, I wish to state that UNDP will continue to work with the private sector, academia, government at all levels, development partners and UN agencies to implement various initiatives needed for meeting the urgent early recovery needs of the decade long crisis in the north east and any other parts of Nigeria affected by violent conflicts. We will accelerate our work to advance the course of youths, especially women and girls, to promote peace and sustainable development in Nigeria in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.  

I allow to express my profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister for finding time to be with us this morning.  To all of you, our special guests, the matriculants and their families, I thank you for gracing this occasion.  

Thank you for your attention.