NDDC trains 27 physically challenged youths in Delta
By The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained and empowered 27 persons living with disability in Delta.
Speaking with newsmen on Saturday shortly after close of the program, Mrs Beauty Aikhomu, the NDDC, Head of Department (HoD), Youth, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs said the aim was to make them self reliant.
Aikhomu also said the process of empowering the beneficiaries with starter packs was underway to enable them to adequately put their skills into proper use.
The TribuneOnline reports that the programme tagged “Training and Empowerment for People living with Disability” was sponsored by the NDDC and facilitated by the “Health and Skills for Africa”.
Aikhomu said that the Commission was committed to improving positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.
“NDDC is set up to affect the lives of everybody in the Niger Delta positively, so it will not be out of place in doing more of this kind of program if need be.
“NDDC knows what to do at every point in time, there is a starter pack accompanying this program and the process is already going on.
” The starter pack is one of those things to ensure that the trainees do not leave here and go and sit at home but to start doing something.
“I can say categorically that the programme is successful because during the exhibition and testimony time, some of the trainees have started making money from the skills in their neighbourhoods,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Rachael Misan-Ruppee, the program coordinator in Delta said the training was held concurrently in all the states in the Niger Delta region.
According to Misan-Ruppee, the trainees have started utilising their skills to make money noting that the starter packs would be a boost and a driven force for them to make more resources for a better living.
“Physically challenged persons have their method and unique character, when you show them love and encouragement, they are ready to put in their best.
” The centre was peaceful, even before the closing ceremony, some of the trainees have started making money. Those that make shoes, bags, cake, beads and others have started selling.
“I believe that when the NDDC gives them the starter packs that suppose to go with the training, they already have a foundation and this will now be a motivation for them in their various trades.
” When the trainees started, they did not know anything about the skills but today they are professionals in their various field as attested by their trainers,” she said.
Misan-Ruppee commended the NDDC for organising such a program noting that the gesture has given the physically challenged a sense of belong in the oil-producing region.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Friday Otobo thanked the NDDC for the program.
He advised his colleagues to put what they have learnt into practice.
“We should do the right thing out there so that we can add value to the society.
“I thank NDDC for putting smile on our faces. This is the first of its kind and we are looking forward to the second batch,” he said.
Another trainee, Mr Christopher Omukoro thanked the NDDC for creating a platform for them to acquire skills and contribute their quota to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A trainer on confectionery, Mrs Gbogiemi Eseoghene expressed surprised at the enthusiasm of the beneficiaries in acquiring skills.
“They were all willing to learn and they got the knowledge. The period of training was short. NDDC should do the program often,” she said.
TribuneOnline reports that the training which started on April 6, 2019, was conducted on the following field: Confectionery, Bead making, Photography, Makeup (manicure and Pedicure).
Others were: Auto gele, Turbab, Ankara and Shoemaking, Wig making (manicure and pedicure), fixing of eyelashes and GSM repair.
The highlight of the ceremony was the exhibition of the various items produced by the trainees in the course of the programme.
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