By: Felix Ikpotor
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says the task of empowering youths of the Niger Delta region requires collaborative efforts by all stakeholders in the region.
Manager Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku said this at the official launch of phase two of it’s empowerment programme, Project HOPE in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.
While noting that the project which was conceived out of the necessity to address the challenge of unemployment and lack of meaningful engagement for youths in the region, can only be successful through concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
Ogbuku also called on states in the region to partner the Commission on the Project HOPE initiative to meaningfully engage the youths.
“The success of Project HOPE depends on more than just the NDDC, it requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
“I extend an open invitation to government entities, private sector players, international partners, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to join us in this noble venture,” he said.
The NDDC MD further charged beneficiary youths of the region to make best use of it saying, “To the youths of the Niger Delta, this is your moment. Embrace these opportunities with zeal and determination,” adding “You are the architects of your destiny and catalyst for regional transformation”.
He warned against selling of starter packs by youths after their training, saying, “In this case, we believe that once we pick you from the data based on your area of interest and passion, you are going to excel from there. And since you are in our data base, we will also have our monitoring process to track your performance.”
He explained further that the phase two is the implementation phase of right meticulously designed programmes aimed at creating jobs and empowering the youths across various sectors.
Ogbuku noted that by establishing farms covering over 100 hectares in each state, the commission is tapping into the rich agricultural deposits of the region, adding that planting of short-term crops like rice and cassava, alongside long-term ventures like aqua-culture and dairy farming, will not only create employment but also contribute to food security and industrial raw materials.
The sectors listed by Ogbuku in his address includes agriculture, music/ arts, technology, entrepreneurship, maritime, internship, underwater welding and compressed natural gas.
In his goodwill message at the event, Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Chisom Gbali thanked the NDDC for partnering the government in her drive to empower youths of the state.
PH Spectator reports that three million, two hundred (3.2m) youths of the region has so far registered for the phase two of the project.
