3,000 Youths Benefit From Shell’s Programme

Over 3000 youths in the Niger Delta region have so far benefited from the Live wire programme of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in enterprise development and management strategies.

This was disclosed by the Manager Social performance, Shell, Mr. Emeka Obi, at the Nigeria Live wire award event held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

According to Mr. Obi, the objective of the Live wire Nigeria programme; “is to encourage and support youth development, with a target at young people aged 18-30 years, to become interested in setting up business and working for themselves as a first option career”.

Mr. Obi further stated that programme which began in 2003, with a collaborative funding between SPDC and Shell Foundation, has assisted over 500 additional young people to set up their dream businesses through Business Start Up Awards.

Mr. Obi who presented a cheque of N24.8m on behalf of Shell to the 88 new successful participants and beneficiaries of the programme, said the project had enhanced sustainable development in the Niger Delta, as over 1000 jobs had been created through support provided to establish small self-owned businesses.

As a result of Live wire Nigeria success, he said a partnership Pprogramme co-funded by the Delta State Government and SPDC was signed in 2006, and this partnership has led to enormous success in Delta State’s youths and entrepreneurial development programmes.

To ensure sustainability of their enterprises he said the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who will provide business counsel within a year of completion of the programme.

In his remark, the Managing Director of Wider perspectives, a business development consultant firm, involved in the training of the participants, Mr. Kalada Appiafi, commended the SPDC over their initiatives.

He implored the youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Shell and strive to be employers of labour in the nearest future.

Also speaking, the Head, strategy and planning, GMoU Implementation of SPDC, Mrs Gloria Udoh, tasked the beneficiaries on the need for judicious use of the opportunities provided by Shell.

Mrs Udoh said the various modules and business development strategies acquired, should be applied in their various choices of businesses, while prudent administration of resources should always remain a yardstick for business breakthrough.

Taneh Beemene