The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Uguru Usani, has stated that the series of youth empowerment schemes embarked upon by his ministry across major cities including Ibadan, for Niger Delta youths, is aimed at making youths productive while reducing restiveness and insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
Usani stated that the youth empowerment initiative of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is aimed at supporting the present administration’s programme of empowering the youth to be gainfully employed and to be the employer of labour instead of seeking for white collar jobs.
The minister represented by the Principal Agricultural Officer of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Harry Abiye, made this known while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the training of Niger Delta youths on fish production at the Seigener Sabithos College in Ibadan on Thursday.
According to him, the youths through the training have been prepared for self employment and they should not deviate from the path which has been paved for them.
“As part of the programme, an empowerment package has been put together by way of start-up capital. The package is meant for you to commence micro enterprises on the skills you have acquired. You are advised to properly utilise the empowerment package to set up your enterprises that will improve your life and that of your family.
“My challenge to you today is to go and practice what you have learnt, contribute to ICT knowledge in the region and the country at large, stimulate economic activities, build capacities of others in your community and run profitable enterprises that will engage other youths in your community,” Usani stated.
The minister commended the Department of Economic Empowerment in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for putting together the training and empowerment programme and assured the trained and empowered beneficiaries that the professional staff of the ministry will always be on hand to provide technical advice.
Also speaking, the training consultant, Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani, assured the minister that the youths are well equipped to face the world of business and self reliance after being exposed to all rudiments of business, marketing and entrepreneurship in addition to fish production and information technology.
He urged the participants to reproduce what they have learnt in other people in their communities so as to reduce crime, violence and all forms of criminality.
He reiterated the willingness of all facilitators to continue mentoring and creating networks that will make life easy for them as new business owners and expressed readiness to use those that put what they are taught to practice as facilitators in subsequent training and empowerment programmes.
The empowered youths represented by Ukemenam Henry Chukwuekwu expressed their appreciation at the opportunity given and promised to do the right thing with the knowledge acquired and the capital given, reiterating that they will not let down the ministry or their trainers.
All the graduating youths got a certificate from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and a Diploma certificate from the Seigner Sabithos College with special gifts given to outstanding students.
and then