Niger Delta
NDE Distributes N30m Equipment To C’River Youth
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has distributed N30 million worth of equipment to unemployed skilled graduates in Cross River.
The Director General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Mohammed made the fact known in Calabar at the graduation and distribution ceremony of Resettlement Equipment/Tools for the beneficiaries.
The resettlement programme was a collaboration between Rep. Essien Ayi, the member representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency and NDE.
The equipment distributed to beneficiaries included refrigerators, sewing machines, computer accessories, photocopying machines and hairdressing tools.
Represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Edem Duke, the director-general said 80 women and youths benefited from the programme aimed at helping them to establish their own businesses.
“It is gratifying to know that today’s occasion is achieved through a collaborative effort which is one of the emphases of the directorate in her continuous attempt at combating mass unemployment in the country,’’ Mohammed said.
He said that the youths received training for six weeks in trades, such as computer operation, computer repairs, hair dressing, catering, lawn mowing, GSM repairs, cosmetology and interior decoration/event management.
Mohammed advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of opportunities given by the Federal Government to set up workshops and manage them profitably to enable them to repay their loans promptly.
He appealed to individuals, especially members of the National Assembly, to emulate the initiative of the legislator to reduce unemployment.
In his remark, the Acting Governor of Cross River, Mr Efiok Cobham, commended Ayi for embarking on the programme and urged him to do more for his people.
He said that the initiative was in line with the state government’s empowerment agenda for wealth creation for the people.
Cobham said the state government had carried out empowerment and capacity building programmes for youths in the state, including offering micro-credits for more than 200 youths.
“Our youths must begin to learn to become entrepreneurs, the jobs are not available anymore and we must get our youths off the streets in order to be gainfully engaged,’’ he said.
Ayi, who was represented by Mr Patrick Ugbe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, called on youths to learn and become employers of labour.
He advised the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use to improve their lives.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform all the youths in Cross River to prepare to key into a programme that will be coming up in 2013, this is Youths Empowerment and Social Support Operation, (YESSO),’’ Ayi said.
He said YESSO was a World Bank-funded programme to be executed with the support of the state government.
“I believe there is a need before us in our constituency to encourage a build-up of artisans and fruitfully engage the attention of young people, especially the less privileged,’’ he said.
The legislator appealed to the youths to inculcate the habit of hard work to benefit from entrepreneurship and possession of skills.
“Their effort and eventual success in making appropriate use of the grant will in no small way encourage the continuity of this initiative which will see more people benefiting years after year,’’ he said.
He commended NDE for creating the atmosphere that ensured the success of the programme.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.