The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has graduated 300 youths from across the nine states of the Niger Delta following the completion of its Technical Skills Training Programme.
The ceremony, held at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt, marked the culmination of months of intensive training in vital technical fields including pipe fitting, scaffolding, forklift operations, and sandblasting.
Speaking at the event, the Commission’s Executive Director, Projects, Dr. Victor Antai, who represented the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the programme as part of NDDC’s long-term strategy to combat unemployment, reduce poverty, and discourage youth restiveness in the oil-rich region.
Dr. Antai explained that the training was designed to meet the manpower needs of the oil and gas industry while equipping young people with skills that would also be useful in manufacturing and other sectors.
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and fulfills Section 7 of the NDDC Establishment Act, which mandates the Commission to drive human capacity development.
He further urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate discipline and professionalism, reminding them that the Commission had made significant financial investments to prepare them for competitive roles in technical fields. According to him, such empowerment initiatives would not only reduce the demand for white-collar jobs but also boost small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also speaking, Mrs. Lyna Okara, Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, highlighted that the training curriculum was carefully designed to address skill shortages in the oil and gas sector.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Timothy Iyenabo of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity encouraged the graduates to expand their impact by mentoring others and creating roadmaps for continuous skill development.
The event was attended by top NDDC officials, including Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Executive Director of Corporate Services, and Dr. Winifred Madume, Director of Agriculture and Fisheries.
A highlight of the day was the formal presentation of certificates to the graduating youths, now officially recognised as skilled technicians and ambassadors of the NDDC’s renewed vision.
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