NDDC Launches Youth Internship Scheme to Foster Entrepreneurship in Niger Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on the region’s youth to seize the opportunity provided by its new special training program aimed at developing entrepreneurship skills.

The Chairperson of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, made this announcement during the inauguration of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme held in Port Harcourt on Monday. Ebie highlighted the importance of the program in equipping young people with essential skills for self-employment and employability.

In line with the federal government’s recent approval, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced on July 31 the allocation of a N50,000 monthly stipend to 10,000 Niger Delta youths for a duration of 12 months. This financial support is aimed at facilitating the acquisition of skills in various fields including automobile mechanics, craftsmanship, medicine, maritime, agriculture, and technology.

Ebie emphasized the program’s goal: “The NDDC Youth Internship Scheme aims to equip our youths with the skills to become entrepreneurs and employable.”

The program is open to Niger Delta youths aged 45 and below, with registration being free of charge. Ebie also warned against age falsification, urging pensioners not to attempt to reduce their ages to qualify for the program. He assured that mechanisms are in place to detect such practices and noted that provisions have been made for physically challenged individuals.

Participants will have the liberty to select their internship locations, with NDDC facilitating connections between the interns and businesses. “A monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework will be established to ensure transparency and measure the programme’s success,” Ebie added.

NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, praised the youth for abstaining from the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests, reinforcing that the empowerment program is a well-planned initiative included in the commission’s N1.9 trillion annual budget. Ogbuku also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the development of the Niger Delta region.

This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering economic growth and stability in the Niger Delta, promising a brighter future for its young population. 

For more information, interested individuals can contact the NDDC or visit their official website.

(NAN)