The Ministry of Niger Delta Development, has trained no fewer than 84 youths and women in soap and disinfectant production in Uyo on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Mr Augustine Azebeokhai, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Niger Delta Development, said that the participants would be given N250,000 each, to start their business.
Azebeokhai said that the training was the fourth in the series of empowerment programmes being organised by the ministry for youth and women.
“The first training was done in Auchi, where we trained 85 persons and the second one was held in Asaba where we trained 110.
“During the third training in Warri, we trained 93 persons, this is the fourth one, we are training 84 persons” he said.
The minister’s aide said that the programme was a deliberate policy to enhance development and reduce unemployment and crime.
Azebeokhai, said that the training was mainly to equip the participants with skills to produce household products.
“We shall hold further trainings on cassava production, poultry farming, fish farming among others,” he said.
He said that the participants were chosen from across the local government areas in the intervention states.
“We shall keep a database to ensure that those who have benefited from the programme will not return to take up new chances,” he said.
Azebeokhai urged the trainees to take the training seriously in the interest of their well-being.
Earlier, the Programme Consultant, Mr Elton Onwu, said that the training was meant to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills to produce high quality soaps and disinfectants.
Onwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Samgreen Resources Nigeria Limited, said that the training would enable the participants to become self-reliant.
“By the end of the programme, you will not only have a deeper understanding of soap and disinfectants production.
“You will build a sustainable business and eventually become employers of labour and wealth creators,” he said.
One of the participants, Mr Idaewor Gentle, from Edo, thanked the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as thoughtful and well-intended.
Gentle expressed the commitment of the participants to make good use of the knowledge gained from the training.
Another trainee, Miss Uduakobong Effiong, from Akwa Ibom, described the training as rich and well thought-out.
“We are very grateful, this training will help us to live a better quality of life, we thank the organisers for this initiative,” she said.
