From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has trained 500 young men and women in financial prudence and distributed 150 minibuses and 200 tricycles to another set in Cross River State as part of its empowerment programme.
Speaking during the Skills Acquisition and Capacity Enhancement Programme in Calabar, Cross River State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the programme was a demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, stated, “This empowerment programme is not just about giving out vehicles and Grants; it is about creating opportunities, restoring hope and enabling the people to build better futures for themselves and their families.”
The NDDC boss further stated that the Commission had executed impactful projects in Cross River State to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty and boost local economic activities.
The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, said the promise to the people had been redeemed and advised the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to improve their livelihoods and provide support for other less privileged people.
Antai, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Cross River State office, Dr Daniel Ajunwa, urged the people of the state to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which made it possible for the NDDC to sponsor the skills training and empowerment programme.
Speaking during the distribution of minibuses and tricycles at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South in the Senate, expressed his commitment to the people, pledging to eradicate poverty in the constituency by creating job opportunities and providing basic amenities for the indigenes.
Asuquo advised the beneficiaries of the programme to ensure that the skills acquisition training and the grants were utilised effectively, and urged them to maintain the vehicles properly to sustain the empowerment scheme.
One of the state’s stakeholders, Hon. Edet Bassey, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. He thanked the NDDC and asked the Commission to do more.
In a related development, the NDDC trained 500 youths on financial prudence and business management and subsequently supported them with take-off grants.
Speaking on behalf of the 500 beneficiaries of the Skills Acquisition and Capacity Enhancement Programme, Mr Solomon Olatunji thanked the NDDC for its gesture and promised to make judicious use of the opportunity granted to them.
One of the beneficiaries of the tricycle, Essien Ufiok, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to put it to productive use to improve his livelihood. Similarly, Arit Akpo, a beneficiary of a minibus, expressed delight at the empowerment, promising to make judicious use of the bus, and thanked President Tinubu, the NDDC, and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong for the assistance.
