MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS GRADUATES 90 WONEN AND YOUTHS; Gives Each #500,000 As Start-Ups

An additional 90 women and youths from the Niger Delta region, have graduated from the training programme of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which is in addition to the others that have successfuly completed their training.

This is in keeping with the commitment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs' to continue its training and empowerment programme for the youths and women in the Niger Delta region,
towards reducing unemployment and youth restiveness.

A statement signed by the Director of Press, Mr. Marshal Gundu disclosed that the new graduands have again been trained and empowered with N500,000 start-up package amidst cheers, in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital recently.

According to the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr. Philip Ndiomu, the 90 graduands, drawn from the various states in the region, were trained in Fishery and Poultry production so that they could contribute to the food security of the region and Nigeria in general.

It would be recalled that the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola had during the graduation of 180 Bakassi returnees in Calabar a forthnight ago, had promised that the training and empowerment programme was a continuous exercise.

He added that "Those who have been agitating for inclusion should be reassured that they have been heard and therefore, will be considered in subsequent batches to be self-employed and self-dependent".

The Minister disclosed that, this recent exercise was part of the fulfilments of that promise.

Pastor Usani added that the package given to the beneficiaries was "Teaching you how to fish rather than just giving fish to you".

He charged them to establish themselves so that they too could contribute towards the training of other Niger Deltans for the enhancement of their value, thereby making them more productive members of the society.

Pastor Usani reiterated that the Federal Government would be glad to seeing the trainees as partners and consultants with capacity to deliver as change agents in the nearest future.

The graduands expressed gratitude to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, pledging their unalloyed support for Mr President and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, stressing that they have received "All it takes to transform our lives and other people around us".