Mr. Umar M. Gulani, the Secretary of the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), has requested for the partnership of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in revamping the economy of the North-east.

Gulani said this during a visit to the Acting Director- General of the NDE, Kunle Bayana. He said that the short term approach of PINE was focused at jump-starting the economy of the North- east.

Odutayo Oluseyi, PINE Communications Officer said in a statement as quoted by the secretary that it needs the collaboration of NDE in such areas as youth empowerment, skills acquisition and productive works and to leverage on the existing structures of NDE as a critical organization empowered in these areas.

Responding to the statement, the AG Director- General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Kunle Bayana recognized that the duo were working together and was conversant with the activities of PINE stating further that a staff  of NDE was in a sub-committee of PINE.

He said efforts at revitalising the North- east could not be over emphasised considering the enormous economic support the North- east had been giving the nation before the insurgency.