SSDC, NDE to Promote Job Creation, Skills Development in South South
By Ekanem ASUQUO
The South South Development Commission (SSDC) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) have renewed their commitment to promoting job creation, skills development, and economic empowerment across the South South region.
The renewed collaboration followed a consultative meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, where SSDC Managing Director, Ms Usoro Akpabio, led a delegation to the NDE headquarters to strengthen institutional ties and explore new areas of partnership aimed at expanding employment opportunities.
During the meeting, Dr Nkereuwem Ebong, the SSDC Board Member representing Akwa Ibom State, called on the NDE to reclaim a long-abandoned parcel of land allocated to the agency in Essien Udim Local Government Area. He stressed that developing the property would create significant economic value and serve as a strategic hub for training programmes and enterprise development beneficial to the region.
In his response, NDE Director General, Silas Ali Agara, assured the delegation that the agency would reclaim the land and develop it in line with its national mandate to drive employment creation and enhance human capital development.
Ms Akpabio commended the NDE for its ongoing contributions to job creation and capacity building nationwide, noting a strong alignment between the agency’s mandate and the SSDC’s mission to drive inclusive growth and regional development in the South South. She added that the strengthened partnership would unlock new initiatives targeting youth empowerment, enterprise support, and market-oriented skills acquisition.
The SSDC delegation expressed optimism that the renewed synergy would translate into concrete projects capable of reducing unemployment and strengthening long-term economic resilience across the region.
