NDDC Project HOPE, recipe for Niger Delta youths development — Analyst

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1 year ago

Foremost public affairs analyst Martins Ogolo has said that the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC)’ Holistic Opportunities Programme/Projects for Engagements, tagged “Project HOPE,” is the hope for Niger Delta youths.

Ogolo disclosed that the NDDC was established 24 years ago by former President Olusegun Obasanjo with the oversight responsibility of facilitating the rapid socio-economic and overall growth of the people, making them economically prosperous and politically stable.

In a bid to redraft its pattern with a critical focus on her creed, making a difference consultation, roundtable talk shops, and recommendations were drawn to see to the sustainable practice of this creed, hence the H.O.P.E. for Niger Delta initiative.

According to Okolo, “Holistic Opportunities Programme/Projects for Engagements, tagged “HOPE,” is the heartbeat of the 7th board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, which is aimed at transforming the fortunes of Niger Delta youths, as the region has long been plagued with poverty and insecurity, amongst several other social vices, because of the need to ultimately change the narrative of the Niger Delta region.

“The workaholic Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku (PhD), who is a visionary administrator, directed Ambassador Blessing Fubara, the resource consultant, and his team to expand the scope of PROJECT HOPE to cover more areas, as his mantra has always been “Signature projects that make a difference in the lives of Niger Deltans.”.

“Dr. Ogbuku’s major concern is to completely change the narrative of Niger Delta youths with a programme that touches every youth, no matter their level of education and exposure. Members of the 7th Board quickly keyed into the idea as they saw workable models in line with the vision of the NDDC, which is ‘Making a Difference’.

“The resource consultant, Amb. Fubara hinted that Project Hope is 18 years old, and no board in the past understood the vision until Dr Samuel Ogbuku’s led board saw the possibilities of reassuring H.O.P.E. to the youths and people of the Niger Delta region with the initiative.

“Project HOPE covers Niger Delta Youths Entrepreneurial Support Scheme (NDESS), Niger Delta Music and Arts Project (NDMAP), PROJECT 9.9.9, & Science & Technology.

“Niger Delta Youths Entrepreneurial Support Scheme (NDESS): This scheme is designed to properly identify active and responsible new businesses and do proper Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registrations and documentation for such businesses and startups.

“NDESS is also designed to enable committed businesses from the region to grow into more coordinated and profitable ventures while taking into cognizance the importance of business certification, adequate regularisation, and financial documentation.

“The Scheme will incubate passionate and hopeful new businesses and help them grow organically into a fully structured, enterprising venture with the requisite mentorship and monitoring paraphernalia required for a value-based system.

“The Niger Delta Music and Art Project (NDMAP) is designed to stimulate prospects for active and passionate young creatives and entertainers. Preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Niger Delta region through music and art.

“To also provide a platform for indigenous creatives to showcase their talent, fostering a sense of pride and identity within the region. The Niger Delta Music and Arts Project is designed to create platforms, enable talents, and empower creatives in five skill sets considered in this specimen: music production, cinematography, creative content, and movie.

“Project 9,000 Jobs, 9 Industries in 9 Months (9.9.9), this specimen (project) has been duly designed to harness and secure alternative sources of funding from International, National, Multinational, community/government, and Private Sector Investors in the areas of shared PPP interest, geared towards achieving long-lasting, focused, and profitable drive.

“The Model shall be executed in three Phases before Transfer: Phase 1 (immediate), Phase 2 (intermediate), and Phase 3 (management).

In the immediate phase, Project HOPE will acquire lands and required mechanisms, onboard target communities, etc. The intermediate phase involves setting up the different project multi-agro industries according to individual States’ specimens, onward deployment, activation, and commencement of the overall project design. The management phase involves the entire project management Phase before Transfer.

“The idea is to engage 1,000 youths in each of the 9 Niger Delta States, which will overall translate to 9,000 Jobs.
“Science & Technology Programme of project hope covers everything as regards equipping Niger Delta Youths with the required Information technology (IT) skills which include: Cybersecurity, database administration, web development, cloud engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), networking, software development, systems analysis, etc.

“Since technology is the new liquid gold, the NDDC’s Holistic Opportunity Programmes Empowerment (HOPE) will train willing Niger Delta youths between 6 and 9 months, ensuring they are grounded and can compete with tech experts from around the globe, giving them an advantage and ease to create employment for themselves as well as secure well-paid jobs.

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