Another batch of 62 Niger Delta youths and women have been trained and equipped in soap making and confectionery by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Each received a starter pack of N300,000 to help them commence business.
Mr. Stephen Kilebi, Deputy Director Press and Public Relations in the Ministry disclosed this in Abuja on Friday.
He quoted the Minister of Niger Delta, Dr Usani Usani as saying the training was to teach the participants “how to fish rather than just giving them fish to eat.”
The Minister, who was represented by Mr. Philip Ndiomu, Deputy Director Economic Empowerment of the Ministry, at the graduation ceremony of the traineesees advised them to become “change agents in the development of the region and the country.”
He also advised them to grow their businesses gradually.
The minister pledged that more Niger Delta people would be trained and empowered through similar programmes.
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Recall that the Niger Delta ministry had trained and empowered 335 Niger Delta people on poultry, fishery, confectionary, tiling and landscaping in April.
Speaking at the ceremony, one of the consultants in the programme Mr. Nonso Obi commended the trainees for their commitment and seriousness during the training and urged them to make the best use of the knowledge they had received.
Ufuoma Okoro, one of the beneficiaries appreciated the Federal Government and the ministry for the empowerment programme.
She said the training programme was educative and structured in a way that participants could pass the acquired skills to other youths of the region, adding, “These meaningful engagements will help to reduce drug abuse, vandalisation of oil and gas pipelines and other vices in the society.
