The Delta Government says it
is training 280 youths in various entrepreneurial programme to enable them to be self-employed.
The Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Youths, Mr Ebifa Ijomah, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Asaba said the training was also aimed at changing the mindset of youths in the state and actualizing “the Delta Beyond Oil’’ initiative of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration.
He said the youth were currently being trained in piggery, fish farming bee keeping and other aspects of farming at the Songhai Delta farm, Amukpe adding that the state government was training some of the youth in welding, auto repairs and other artisan skills.
He noted that such training would also help the youth to build self-confidence apart from making them self-employed.
“When such confidence is built among the youth, it will provide a stable platform for them to embrace self-reliance and life skills that will make them contribute to the national economy,’’ he said.
Ijomah called on private individuals and organisations in the state to support the state government in promoting entrepreneurial programmes for youths.
He noted that such programmes would go a long way in checking youth restiveness in the state as well as the country in general.
The commissioner appealed to youths in the state to refrain from all forms of anti-social behaviours capable of leading them to violence and lawlessness.
“My prayer is that the youth will not in any way as leaders of tomorrow compromise the unity, peace and security of our state by allowing themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.’’ They should keep their eyes on positive things and make progress with high esteem and self-worth,’’ he said.