In line with the current administration’s mantra of empowering youths through economic initiatives, including training and support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as information and technological innovations, the Federal government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to disburse N30 billion funds which aimed at facilitating the development of young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region.
This was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; who stressed that the funds will particularly be channelled through the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to foster the growth and development of young entrepreneurs in the region.
Dr Ogbuku emphasized the government’s relentless efforts to create an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs will thrive and create more job opportunities for others; hence, the government can not employ everybody.
The NDDC Managing Director also eulogies the government’s efforts to ensure the youths fully benefit from the current administration. Speaking about the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme, which aims to provide practical skills by linking youths with organisations for on-the-job training, he said the scheme will be fully effective from January 2025, as the consultant managing the application process is working to streamline entries and ensure a coordinated launch of the various skill areas. He added that the successful applicants will soon be notified.
Note that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established as an agency in the year 2000, by the then-Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, with the ultimate aim of fostering development in the oil-rich region of the country. The NDDC was named a ministry by the Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008 to further strengthen infrastructural development, promote economic diversification and productivity in the region and also curb the hostility and militancy which was prevalent in the region.
