The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bauchi State has started the production of 20,000 face masks as a contribution towards curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
Mr Nasir Argungu, the Director-General of the NDE, said on Wednesday in Bauchi that the masks would be distributed free of charge.
He said that the mask production was a collaboration between NDE and the Future Assured Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation, founded by Hajiya Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari.
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“One of the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is the use of a face mask.
“That is why the NDE and Future Assured Initiative came together to provide face masks for people free of charge.
“We all know that the NDE has trainers in various trades.
“This will not only keep them busy, but there is also going to be an incentive for producing the face masks,’’ Argungu said.
The NDE boss, who was represented by Mr Lawan Yaya, Bauchi State Coordinator of NDE, said that five states had also keyed into the production
Each state is expected to produce 20,000 face masks.
The states Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano.
Argungu advised the NDE trainees, to put in their best in order to learn new inventions towards the production of the masks.
“If not because of this pandemic, nobody was thinking of sewing this kind of face masks.
“But with this coronavirus disease, it is now a thriving business to produce face masks,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Halima Muhammed, who spoke on behalf of the trainers engaged for the production of the face masks, promised that the trainers would put in their best and ensure that the production of flawless masks.