N/Delta: 335 women, youths get N100.5m starter packs from FG

THE Federal Government has empowered 335 women and youths of the Niger Delta region with N100.5 Million starter packs, as part of government’s efforts to address the problem of unemployment in the region.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the participants held at Benin City, Edo State on Friday.

‘The training programme covered Poultry, Fishery, Confectionery, Tiling and Landscaping’, he said. Each trainee received the sum of N300,000 as a starter pack.

The graduation ceremonies took place simultaneously at Ibadan, Oyo State, Benin City, Edo State, while the graduation ceremony at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Usani who was represented by the Deputy Director, Economic Empowerment Department in the Ministry, Mr Philip Ndiomu said the skills acquisition programme no doubt has paid off, as women and youths have been economically empowered, thereby bringing the much-needed peace, stability, socio-economic and infrastructural development to the region, as well as complementing President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts towards addressing the unemployment and poverty in the country.

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He, therefore commended the facilitators of the training programmes for hosting the participants in the last two weeks and impacting knowledge that would change the socio-economic transformation of the trainees and for contributing to the human capital development agenda of the federal government of Nigeria.

The Minister also commended the participants for their perseverance and peaceful conduct throughout their stay at the training locations, urging them to take advantage of the knowledge and showcase the skills acquired to become self-reliant.

He presented certificates to the trainees, stating that the Federal Government has given them the starter pack as a means of empowerment to enable them to take off.

Earlier, the Director Community Development and Education in the Ministry, Mrs Lauren Braide, represented by the Assistant Director Community Development and Education, Mr Goodluck Oyinvwe, advised the participants to put the knowledge acquired with their starter packs into use, to become self-employed and employers of labour.

One of the training facilitators and representative of Reg Morrison Ltd, Miss Esther Njoku commended the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, for giving them a rare opportunity to empower and contribute to the success story of the participants.

One of the beneficiaries, Mary Etaba commended the federal government for the training and empowerment programme, stressing that it was not only for money but the knowledge acquired added value to their lives.

She also expressed her gratitude to the staff and management of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, for the laudable initiative.