NDDC trains, empowers physically-challenged in Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained and empowered some persons living with disabilities on different vocational skills in Delta State.

The programme tagged: “Training and Empowerment for People Living with Disability” was sponsored by the Commission and facilitated by an NGO called “Health and Skills for Africa”.

The programme was in line with NDDC core mandate of improving the standard of living of the people of the Niger Delta region.

Mrs Rachael Misan-Ruppee, Coordinator of the Skill Development Training Programme in Delta State,  said over the weekend that while still in training, the trainees had started utilising their skills to make money.

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“When the training started, they had little or no skill on the the various skills they chose to be trained on but today, they are professionals in their various fields  as attested to by their trainers,” she said.

Misan-Ruppee commended the NDDC for organising such a programme, noting that the gesture had given persons living with disabilities a sense of belonging in the oil-producing region

The beneficiaries  thanked the NDDC for the training and called for more of such gesture.

Mr Friday Otobo, a trainee in photography, thanked the NDDC saying, “this is what persons living with disabilities need, total inclusion into the society.

“Since NDDC was created, this is the first time it is impacting on persons living with disability, we must commend them,” he said.

Another trainee on Auto-gele, Miss Kewve Ebireri thanked the Commission and appealed for extension of the programme to those who did not have the opportunity to participate in the first batch.

“I will establish my business and also train others,” she said.

Mr Austin Juwe a trainee on shoe and bag making said, “I thank the NDDC for looking into our direction to see that we are not left behind”.

Mrs Perfect Anthony-Onoke, trainee on wig making said, “I thank NDDC for making us to know what we did not  before.”

Another trainee, Mr Christopher Omukoro thanked the NDDC for creating a platform for them to acquire skills and contribute their quota to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Also, Mrs Blessing Onoje, trainer on Auto-gele commended the NDDC.

“NDDC should continue with the programme to get others out of the streets, train and make them useful to themselves and the society,” she said.

A trainer on confectionery, Mrs Gbogiemi Eseoghene,  expressed joy at the enthusiasm of the beneficiaries in acquiring skills.

“They were all willing to learn and they got the knowledge, they are professionals now in their trades,” she said.

The training covered the following vocations: Confectionery, beads making, photography, makeup, manicure and pedicure.

Others were: auto gele, turban, fascinator, shoe &bag making, wig making, GSM repair.

Highlight of the closing ceremony was the exhibition of the various items produced by the trainees in the course of the programme.