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NDDC Encourages Youths to Enroll in N6bn Training Program |
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on youths in the Niger Delta region to seize the opportunity provided by the commission’s special training program to develop entrepreneurship skills.
Chiedu Ebie, the Chairperson of the NDDC Governing Board, made this appeal during the launch of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme in Port Harcourt on Monday.
It is noteworthy that on July 31, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the federal government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for 10,000 Niger Delta youths over a period of 12 months.
Mr. Ebie mentioned that selected participants would receive N50,000 monthly to acquire skills in various fields such as automotive, craftsmanship, medicine, maritime, agriculture, and technology, among others.
“The NDDC Youth Internship Scheme is designed to equip our youths with the skills necessary to become entrepreneurs and gain employment.
“Youths from the Niger Delta can register for the training at no cost, with eligibility restricted to individuals aged 45 years and below.
“There is an age limit; hence, pensioners should not falsify their age by reducing it by 10 years to qualify for the program,” he stated.
Mr. Ebie added that measures have been implemented to detect such fraudulent practices and that provisions have been made for physically challenged individuals.
“Each participant will choose an internship location, and we will connect them with businesses seeking interns.
“A monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework will be established to ensure transparency and assess the program’s success,” he added.
NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, praised the youths for not participating in the ongoing EndBadGovernance protest.
He emphasized that the empowerment program was not an afterthought but a well-planned initiative included in the commission’s N1.9 trillion annual budget.
Mr. Ogbuku affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to the development of the Niger Delta region.
(NAN)
