The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Delta youths

  • Delta youths endorse Atiku, Okowa others

    CONCERNED Youth Presidents (CPP) in Burutu Local Government in Delta State, yesterday, endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The group also endorsed PDP candidates in the state, urging youths in Burutu council to re-elect Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Burutu Otuaro.

    The group spoke in a statement signed by over 10 youth groups from Burutu.

    CPP described Okowa as a “development guru and a friend to youths,” adding that Deltans were not ready to trade Okowa’s ambition for anything as his work was visible everywhere.

    Other candidates endorsed were Sen. James Manager; Julius Pondi (House of Representatives for Burutu Federal Constituency); Asupa Forteta House of Assembly for Burutu North); and Pullah Ekpotuayerin (House of Assembly for Burutu South).

    The statement reads: “As youth presidents in Burutu Local Government in Delta State, we can’t  watch any longer, we are aware Nigeria is the headquarters of poverty in the world, there is high level of insecurity … and an alarming rate of unemployment.

    “Hunger and hardship at its highest level; Judiciary in a comatose state and a Nigeria that is not working. We have resolved that there is need to test Atiku…the present government is like a nightmare to our people…

    “It is in our interest as Ijaw that Sen. Manager should be returned to represent Delta South once more. He is high ranking, he knows the job, and has been delivering…

    “Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu  in the House of Representatives, is a rare leader in Burutu politics and Delta State, as a first timer, he does not appear so, he has transformed the lives of youths in Burutu and Niger Delta.

    “…he has performed well, projects have been influenced to communities… he had also been instrumental in many appointments in the council, he is loved by the people and is a voice to reckon with…

    “Asupa Forteta is one leader the people will always queue behind, he has this penchant for the development, he has been doing his part in the emerging new Burutu. He has the people at heart, we will not waver in sending him to represent Burutu North in the House of Assembly.

    “We will also vote Mr. Pullah Ekpotuayerin, PDP candidate for Burutu South to represent the constituency in the House of Assembly, we are ready to deliver you all during the elections,” the youth presidents said.

  • 3069 Delta youths benefit from job creation schemes

    ABOUT 3,069 Delta State youths have benefitted from the state Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP). The state Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, has said.

    Eboh, who disclosed this during the distribution of starter packs to the 81 beneficiaries in the first batch of the “Brown” STEP training in Asaba, said the entrepreneurship training programme had qualified them to own starter parks and run their own businesses.

    According to him, there were 582 beneficiaries of STEP in all, who had acquired vocational skills on their personal volition, but were selected and supported through a refresher training programme.

    The state, Eboh said, had transformed the lives of the youths by creating means of livelihood for them through the programmes.

    He  said the programmes has also achieved significant successes, noting that other states in the country are now adopting the model to train and create employment for their youths.

    In recognition of the desirability and success of the programmes, he said the World Bank has been providing financial support for them through State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) project.

    He said: “Currently, the scheme is running its third straight cycle, in line with the vision, determination and leadership of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.”

    The wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, in her remarks,  commended the beneficiaries and urged them to embrace handwork and be committed to their businesses.

    She urged them to make good use of the skills they acquired and be grateful to God for being among the beneficiaries.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Merit Obarakpor, who was trained in fashion design and tailoring, commended the state government for the gesture.

    Obarakpor assured that they would use the starter packs to promote and expand their businesses.

  • Total Nigeria empowers Delta youths

    Total Nigeria empowers Delta youths

    Total Nigeria Plc has presented starter packs to those it trained on welding and fabrication, furniture making, hair dressing, fashion and designing, fish farming, computer studies, and others.

    Its Managing Director Mr. Jean- Philippe Torres said the Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) was part of its corporate philosophy aimed at building strong partnerships for sustainable development.

    The starter packs were presented to the 2016 and 2017 beneficiaries at the Total Lubricant Blending Plant in Koko, Delta State.

    Torres said since inception 2006, the program has empowered 54 beneficiaries in the community.

    The graduands undergo a screening and pre-selection process prior to their placements in certified training centers.

    Training materials and allowances are provided for them and their trainers to ensure they are well equipped with the necessary learning tools.

    On completion of the one-year training, Total Nigeria fully establishes the youths in their various vocational fields by providing them with tools and resources by way of Starter packs.

    “This is one of the many ways in which we positively affect our host communities, ensuring we have a sustainable impact on their lives,” Torres said.

    According to him, capacity building provides more sustainable contribution to economic and social development of people and communities.

    “The program is a sustainable youth development scheme were less privileged youths of our host communities are trained in vocations of their choice,” he said.

    Torres urged the beneficiaries to work hard and to believe in their abilities to become achievers in their different vocations.

    “Despite tough economic conditions, we had to ensure that these starter packs are procured as we cannot compromise the development of our communities and that of our youths.

    “We, therefore, implore you to make the most of the work tools.  All you require to run a viable Small and Medium Scale Business has been provided including two years prepaid shop in waiting.

    “Going forward, you then need to contribute to the community development of Koko so the positive spiral effect of your enterprise is felt here,” Torres added.

  • Delta youths show interest in governance

    For them, youths should not only be leaders of tomorrow; they should also monitor governance end even help to determine who governs.

    A group of them under the aegis of National  Coalition of Itsekiri Youth Movement (NCIYM)  has even gone on to declare their choice of governor in Delta State once the tenure of the incumbent Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan is over.

    The youths have appealed to businessman and philanthropist Chief Godswill Obielum to contest for governor in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The group also urged residents of the state to support Obielum, believing that the ex-police officer will represent them and the state well.

    At a meeting held at the historic Nana Hall in the ancient town of Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of the state, the coordinator of the group, Comrade Tosan Oritsegbemi enjoined men and women of Delta State to give their full support to Chief Godswill Obielum in the 2015 governorship poll.

    Urging them to put ethnic sentiments aside, Oritsegbemi said Chief Obielum who is a philanthropist and founder of Obielum Foundation, is an experienced technocrat and a dependable leader from the Ndokwa nation, the largest ethnic group in Delta North Senatorial District.

    He said: “After a successful exploit as commander of an anti-crime squad and as ex-police commissioner, Obielum has garnered massive political relevance. He came to considerable national attention in Nigeria when he returned to Delta State to contest the 2007 governorship elections.  He is a  philanthropist  who,  in his quest for poverty  alleviation and  better life for the people of the Niger Delta, founded the Chief Godswill Obielum Foundation which has touched  the lives of the down-trodden in the state.”

    The group said should Obielum who hails from Ushie in Ndokwa East Local Government Area win, he will take the state to a higher level and make it a better place for all.