Engage Niger Delta Youths in Skillful Scheme to Stop Restiveness, FG Urged

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The federal government has been urged to engage youths of the Niger Delta region in meaningful ventures especially skill acquisition projects and programs as a step to tackling or check restiveness in the region.

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Elano Investments Limited, Port Harcourt, Gomba Okanje made the call at Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron Akwa Ibom State at the graduation of 31 skill acquisition trainees sponsored by the company.
“All these restiveness in the Niger Delta region are as a result of not channeling the energy of the youths in the region toward meaningful ventures.

“If people in the region had been trained skillfully they know that they have future they would not go and engage in an unscrupulous activities that we are finding everywhere in the Niger Delta region”, he said.

Okanje lauded the management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron for bequeathing the youths in the country with skilful programmes through the curriculum of the institution to enhance their future.

He said the decision for his company to engage youths of the Niger Delta in skilful programmes was to ensure the youths through the schemes secure a better future.

“The way the country and the economic are gearing to the best thing is to ensure our people in skillful trainings to boost the economic. Except we do this depression will still be experienced in the region”, he added.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of Elana Investments Limited urged the trainees to be serious and put into practice the knowledge acquired during the training saying the company will provide them with starter park and accommodation for them to practice their skills.

Addressing the graduants, the Chairman, education Committee of the Elano Investments Ltd. Prof. Walter Ollor, said besides the skill acquisition scheme the company is also considering providing bursary for indigent students of the region in tertiary institutions.

“We believe that human capital is the best that could be given to any community”, he said stressing that the best way to plan for the future is to provide a generation with knowledge.

The Director, Maritime Academy of Nigerian Consult, Dr. Kevin Okona the beneficiaries of the programmes were trained in computer appreciation and office management, disel and petrol engine repairs/maintenance, electrical works, repairs and maintenance.

The Deputy Managing Director and coordinator, Wilder Perspectives Ltd that screened the beneficiaries of the programmes, Mrs Edughom Hanson remanded the trainees to make good use of the skills acquired.

According to her, acquiring the skill was a good foundation for them to aspire to achieve anything they want in live.
“The skill must be drive with vision to get the best. You should not only look for employment but you should strive to generate employment and impact the society what you have benefitted”, she stressed,