The Delta Ministry of
Commerce and Industry says it has trained 350 young men and women and women on cell phone repair in the last seven years.
The Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Pat Isichei, said this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.
He said the ministry had been training 50 persons annually since 2008 and that the beneficiaries were evenly selected from the 25 local government areas of the state.
He said that the training programme was to make them self-employed in accordance with the human capital development programme of the present administration in the state.
“We train the youths and women and at the end of the programme, provide them with accessories, tools and some cell phones so that they can start their own businesses.
“The starter packs encourage them to be gainfully employed and not remain idle because idle hands are inimical to peace and security,’’ he said.
Isichei said the ministry had been monitoring the performance of the beneficiaries to ensure that they effectively utilise the funds and equipment given to them.
He commended the state government for supporting the ministry’ initiatives to train and empower the youth.
Some of the beneficiaries said the programme had helped them to earn a living and thanked the state government for the gesture.
A secondary school leaver, Mr John Adigbo, from Sapele Local Government Area, said the training had changed his life positively.
“I am proud to be a cell phone repairer and I can tell you that the skill has helped to make some money to take care of myself,’’ he said.
Miss Susan Nduka, 25, from Oshimili North Local Government Area, a beneficiary of this year’s programme, said she was happy to have acquired the skill.
“We received good training and I call it additional knowledge which remains useful at all times.
“We have become technically self-employed; so when we receive the starter packs as promised by government, many, if not all of us, will start doing something,’’ Nduka said.