A group, Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP), has presented the sum of N500,000 grant each to several young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta to support their businesses.
This is just as some critical stakeholders in the oil-rich region has urged youths in the region to look beyond oil and build a culture of entrepreneurship so as to self-reliant and employers of labour.
Moses Siasia, the Chief Convener of the 3rd Niger Delta, Medium and Small Scale Enterprises Summit, held in Akwa Ibom State, in his opening remarks, revealed that the NDYP has trained over 2,300 business owners across the region, given grants to over 200 business owners, and has created 4,920 direct and indirect jobs.
Siasia who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF) and NDYP
said with the support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the NDYP has been able to support 1,620 businesses with loans and grants.
Speaking at the summit, critical stakeholders across Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region in their presentations urged youths in the region to strive to build a culture of entrepreneurship, and look away from the decades-old dependency on crude oil.
Speaking further, Moses Siasia noted that this narrative if adhered to, would transform youths in the region into competitive business owners, and place them at par with their peers globally.
At the event which held symbolically on the same day as the International Youth Day, Siasia regretted that young people have been “malnourished by broken promises”, leaving them abandoned.
He added, to bridge this gap, he said the organizers – the Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP), is working to provide opportunities for young people engaging in productive ventures to thrive.
“We want our young people who are entrepreneurs to understand that the future is theirs and that the future is entrepreneurship. The world today is diverting from hydrocarbon. We are talking about Energy Transition, Climate Change. These are where the world interests are driving to, so we must conform to modern realities. This is why we are doing this to reshape the entrepreneurial culture in the region.”
The Convener stressed on the need for state governments across the Niger Delta to partner and support the initiative.
He recalled that in the past editions of the Summit held in Delta and Rivers states, as well Saturday’s edition in Akwa Ibom, governments of the region did not show support for an initiative that is deliberately thought out to positively impact the lives of young Niger Deltans.
He cautioned young people to consider exploring the Social Media to promote their brands and businesses, rather than jumping on it as a tool to abuse political office holders.
Similarly, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), harped on the need for youths to key into the initiative, adding that it already has the database of youths in the region, with which it is working to create enormous opportunities to improve their lives.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC who was represented by Obayelu Patrick, Commercial and Industrial Development Directorate (CID), NDDC, expressed passion for the initiative and assured of the Commission’s continuous support.
In his goodwill message, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), charged the youths to take advantage of the global food crisis to key into the agricultural sector, with a deliberate plan to address the shortfall.
Represented by Musa Wilfred, PAP’s Head of Reintegration, Ndiomu advised the youths to be innovative and begin to think out of the box and explore the enormous opportunities before them.
Earlier, Guest Speaker, Ebimoboere Enyiekpemi, the CEO of Afritropic Farming and Agro Services Ltd, while sharing her story, said the key to success in agribusiness is consistency. She urged youths in the region to consider venturing into agriculture and tap from the benefits.
At the Panel Sessions held, speakers jointly highlighted access to fund, mistrust, last of passion and consistency as major factors limiting potential entrepreneurs.
Highpoints of the Summit organized by the NDYP, was the presentation of N500,000 grant each to several entrepreneurs to support their businesses.
The inaugural edition of the Summit was held in 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and a sequel last year in Asaba, Delta State.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then