The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) launched Monday the second phase of the Holistic Opportunities Programme for Engagements, Project HOPE, which marks the commencement of the implementation of the program.
The second phase of NDDC Project HOPE is the implementation phase of eight (8) meticulously designed programs aimed at creating jobs and employing youths of the Niger Delta across various areas of agriculture, music & arts technology, and entrepreneurship. Others are internship, maritime, underwater welding, and compressed natural gas CNG.
The launching of the first phase took place earlier in the year during the onboarding of the communities that donated lands for the agriculture project in the nine (9) states of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking while launching the programme in Port Harcourt, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer CEO of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, announced that data so far from registration shows that about 3.2 million youths registered for the programme spanning across the 8 programmes of the project.
He emphasised that nothing was new from the efforts of previous management and the board of the commission to develop the region and empower her people, saying that what was missing in the efforts was “harmonising the programmes with data.”
Dr Ogbuku explained that the current board and management were avoiding that lapse by insisting on data capture that would register the youths according to the areas of competencies and interest, choosing from the 8 selected areas of the project.
He said, “Funds are scarce, and we want to spread the opportunities to all nine states of the region and not keep recycling the same beneficiaries. With Project Hope, the implementation will be based on the stipulated yardstick of capacity and volume of production from each state.”.
“The programs are underpinned by the core elements of the NDDC’s Renewed Hope Vision of building partnerships, lighting up the Niger Delta, carbon emissions reduction, sustainable livelihoods, improved youth capacity and skills base, an effective and professional workforce, and improved peace and security.”.
The NDDC boss noted that the success of Project HOPE depended on more than just the NDDC, adding that “it requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. I extend an open invitation to government entities, private sector players, international partners, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations to join us in this noble venture.”.
He charged the youths, “To the youths of the Niger Delta, this is your moment. Embrace these opportunities with zeal and determination. You are architects of your destiny and catalysts for regional transformation.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of Projects of the NDDC, Victor Antai, had described the launch of the program as a significant milestone in the collective quest to empower youths of the Niger Delta.
He said Project Hope was more than a project, describing it as a beacon of opportunity and catalyst for change, saying, “I am particularly excited about the strategies adopted for the implementation of the programme, especially the Militech—a paradigm shift to equip Niger Delta youths to compete in the global technology sector.
Commissioners of Youths from three states of the Niger Delta, including Imo, Ondo, and Rivers, were present at the programme and praised the management and board of the NDDC for the programme.
In his goodwill message, Chisom Gbali, Commissioner for Youth Development in Rivers State, commended the NDDC for the project, which he described as an effort to positively build Rivers youths, noting that it was in sync with the state government’s vision for the youth and explaining why the government supported the programme with the donation of its ICT centre.
He said he adjudged the NDDC boss as a successful man because he was helping the youths to also succeed and commended the consultant to the programme for a well-articulated programme.
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