Oborevwori Lauds DESOPADEC for Building Future Entrepreneurial Leaders

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has lauded efforts of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) in building future generation of entrepreneurial leaders that will contribute to the growth of local economy in the state.

Oborevwori, who gave the commendation weekend during the fifth graduation ceremony of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy yesterday said empowering the youths with skills and starter packs would stimulate them to becoming successful entrepreneurs and job creators.

The governor, who was represented at the event held over the weekend at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Prince Johnson Erijo, highlighted the crucial role of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy in equipping young people with the necessary technical skills, vocational training, values, and resources to become successful entrepreneurs.

He said the provision of skills and starter packs by DESOPADEC was a project that underscores Delta State government’s commitment to the growth, empowerment and development of its people.

His words: “The provision of starter packs is not about offering equipment or infrastructure. It is about creating an environment that nurtures, the entrepreneurial spirit and equips our youth with the necessary tools to succeed.

“We are ensuring that every beneficiary has access to a structured pathway, to not only acquire valuable skills, but also to immediately apply them in real world. We believe this will directly impact the lives of thousands of young people across the oil producing areas of Delta State.”

Executive Director of Social Services at the DESOPADEC, Chief Favour O. Izoukumor, said that the project, this time, was departure from the previous editions noting that the beneficiaries had initially trained themselves before DESOPADEC intervention to retrain and empower them for successful business ventures.

Izoukumor, while congratulating the graduates, acknowledged their resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

He urged the graduates to embrace the challenges and obstacles that come with stepping into the next phase of their journey, reminding them that the greatest achievements often arise from the most difficult circumstances.

The Managing Director/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, said the commission was not only providing starter packs to each of the beneficiaries but also offered a cash grant of N500,000 to enhance the smooth take-off of their businesses.

“Each pack is a well-structured environment designed to provide the tools, workspace and infrastructure needed for these young entrepreneurs to thrive. Also, the cash grant of N500,000 is a seed investment to enhance their smooth take-off their craft and business ventures immediately”, he said.

Ochonogor also disclosed that many women were also empowered with N100,000 cash seeds to improve on their petty trading.

Chairman, Board of DESOPADEC, Hon. John Nani urged the beneficiaries to utilise the starter packs and seed monies judiciously for the growth of their businesses.

He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support to the commission to enable it meets its responsibilities with provision of infrastructure, human capital development to the people of the oil producing communities in the state.

Two resource persons, Pastor Afolabi Adun and Dr. Charles Akpoki had lectured the beneficiaries on how to grow businesses and challenges they might face in the course of running their businesses.