A new vista in youth entrepreneurship development aimed at fast tracking the industrialization of the Niger Delta Region, has been opened for the youths of the Niger Delta following the launch of the phase 2 of the Holistic Opportunities Programmes for Engagement, known as “Project HOPE”, even as the Commission reveals that over 3.2million youths have been captured since the first phase of the programme was launched on July 4, 2023.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, speaking during the launching of the second phase of the project in Port Harcourt, said Project HOPE, was conceived out of the necessity to address the pressing challenges facing the youths, especially in the area of employment and the lack of opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Ogbuku announcing that the first phase entailed designing and deploying a digital platform for data collection, analysis and creating a parameter for the programme implementation, said nothing was new from the efforts of previous administration and board in project implementation to empower the people and develop the region, but what was missing was harmonizing the programme data. Adding that the current board and management were avoiding previous mistakes by insisting on data capture what would register the youths according to the area of competencies and interest across the eight selected of the project.
“The second phase is the implementation phase of eight meticulously designed programmes aimed at creating jobs and empowering our youth across various sectors such as agriculture, music & arts, technology, entrepreneurship, internship, maritime underwater welding, and compressed natural gas CNG.
“The success of Project HOPE requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. I extend an open invitation to government entities, private sector players, international partners, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to join us in this noble venture.”
Advising youths of the Niger Delta to embrace the opportunities provided by the project with zeal and determination, he said “You are the architects of your destiny and the catalysts for regional transformation.”
Remarking on how the commission aims to manage the challenges associated with youth empowerment programmes, Ogbuku said: “Over the years what has been happening is that because of political interests, people are given slots to nominate participants for empowerment programmes and most of these participants never had passion for these training programmes.
“After the training programmes, you see people selling off the starter-packs and other equipment that were given to them after the training.
“In this case, we believe that once we pick you from the data based on your area of interest and passion, you are going to excel from there. And since you are in our data base, we will also have our monitoring process to track your performance.”
Earlier in his address, the NDDC Executive Director, Project, Victor Antai, said Project HOPE “Is a beacon of opportunity and catalyst for change,” saying, “I am particularly excited about the strategies adopted for the implementation of the programme, especially the Militech- a paradigm shift to equip the Niger Delta youths to compete in the global technology sector.”
Victor stressed that the programme, conceived under the insightful leadership of the Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is a significant milestone in the collective quest to empower the youths, harness their potentials, and provide them with viable avenues for self-actualization and economic empowerment.
He explained that “The second phase which will focus on the implementation of eight strategic project, is aimed at creating jobs and employable professional and technology skills for the youths of the region.
“Our emphasis on technology, particularly the ‘Mili-Tech’ programme, represents a significant shift. By equipping our youth with modern technological skills, we are positioning them to compete globally and drive innovation within our region.”
Also speaking, the resource person for Project HOPE, Ambassador Blessing Fubara, affirmed that the second phase of the scheme would commence with eight quick impact action specimens, noting that the time had come for a serious development model to kick-off in the Niger Delta region.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Rivers and Imo State Commissioners for Youth Development, Dr. Chisom Wali and Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukeegbu, commended the NDDC for taking the bold initiative to partner their States Government, noting that the efforts of the NDDC is in syn with their state government’s vision for the youths. Dr. Chisom Wali, emphasizing the Rivers State Government’s support, said the government bought into the vision of the programme, reason the state ICT Centre was donated to the project. He alluded that the project is a new dawn for the youths of the Niger Delta region.
Given the delayed implementation of the project, it is the expectation of Ijaw Heritage Television, as well as many citizens of the region that following, the kick-off of the implementation stage, Project HOPE will provide sustainable livelihood for the beneficiaries.
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