The Ministry of Niger Delta is to train 30 youths as seafarers in the region.
The seafarers’ training programme is part of series of skill acquisition programmes being organised by the ministry.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Stephen Oru, disclosed this at a briefing organised for youths in Lagos that the programme would be one of the several initiatives being executed by the ministry.
He said the essence of the programme was to check youth restiveness in the region.
The Ministry of Niger Delta is to train 30 youths as seafarers in the region.
The seafarers’ training programme is part of series of skill acquisition programmes being organised by the ministry.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Stephen Oru, disclosed this at a briefing organised for youths in Lagos that the programme would be one of the several initiatives being executed by the ministry.
He said the essence of the programme was to check youth restiveness in the region.
The minister said the training was meant to encourage youths to engage in meaningful economic activities by acquiring skills in various trades and occupations.
Oru said that this would provide decent and sustainable sources of income for youths.
The minister said the scheme would subsequently advance the overall socio-economic well-being of the people in the region.
“The youth are to be trained to meet the international standards and competencies as set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under STCW 95 Convention.
“With this training, the trainees can be employed as ratings on board by any Nigerian and foreign ship,’’ Oru said.
The minister said the programme would be intensive for a period of six months and urged the youths to make good use of the training opportunity to empower themselves.
“I am reminding you (youths) that the Federal Government is investing so much funds in training you in maritime and other skills for you to acquire knowledge and skills.
“The skill will support economic empowerment, train and employ other youths to reduce unemployment and make foods available in every nook and cranny of our country,” he said.
The minister, however, said the ministry would avoid the mistake of the past where money was given to their predecessors to establish themselves and the money were mismanaged.
He said that henceforth, no money would be given to any trained youth, adding that instead, “the ministry will make sure that they are employed after their training’’.
Oru said the youths should not see the training programme of the ministry as a jamboree where money would be distributed without specific objectives.
He urged them to make good use of the opportunity to prove their worth and make the Niger Delta region and Nigeria proud by being good ambassadors.
The youths, who spoke through their leader, Mr Ayenbi Tosan, lauded the programme.
He said he was optimistic that a better Niger Delta was in the offing, adding that the current efforts of the Federal Government to turn the tide for the region were encouraging.
“We can hope for a greater future for the Niger Delta because the Federal Government is transforming this region and in no distant time we shall see a greater Niger Delta region.
“The inclusion of the young people in its development plans also means it is going to be sustainable,’’ Tosan said.
He also commended the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan on youths and pledged their support to his administration.
The only lady among the youths, Miss Doris Clifford, said the decision of the ministry on the Niger Delta for skill acquisition for youths was one of the best decisions ever made.
“Collectively, we shall develop the region; we are all ready to diversify the economy of the region so that it will not depend on oil alone.
“We want to see the maritime sector of the region grow,’’ she said.
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