Samuel OYADONGHA

Thirty young Bayelsans living with disabilities had cause to celebrate last week when they were presented with certificates of merit and start up packs by the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

This will enable them cater for themselves instead of looking up to close family members and the society for survival.

The lucky beneficiaries; 10 blind, 10 deaf & dumb and 10 physically challenged persons were trained in various skills and provided with capital to set up their own businesses.

Interestingly, the road to self-sustenance for these youths, Sweetcrude learnt, began in August 2013, when the oil major with vast business interests in Bayelsa State signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The agreement is to train 30 persons living with disability under the Shell LiveWire Programme with life sustaining skills that would enable them fend for themselves and their families.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the eight local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 2014 Shell LiveWire Nigeria ‘Awards’ in Yenagoa, SPDC General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Mr. Nedo Osayande, described the programme as a veritable means of boosting capacity and increasing wealth portfolio in the Niger Delta.

His words: “the journey which culminates in today’s event started in August 2013 following the successful signing of an MoU with the Ministry to train 30 persons living with disabilities on the Shell LiveWire programme. The group included; 10 blind, 10 deaf and dumb and 10 physically challenged persons.”

Represented by Mr. Fufeyin Funkakpo, Government and Community Relations Manager, he said, the training covered three days business development training and 27 days skill development training at selected centres in the state.

His words: “This is the first time that the programme is focusing on persons with disabilities and we deeply appreciate everyone who has contributed to this unique programme.

“Our goal is to build capacity for business through access to entrepreneurship training and business development. These core commercial skills are combined with the necessary start-up capital with a focus on expanding or increasing youth owned businesses in the state.

“To date, LiveWire Nigeria programme has trained over 5000 Niger Delta youths in enterprise development and management out of which over 2,700 were further assisted to set up their own businesses through business start-up awards.”

According to him, “These young entrepreneurs are now creating employment opportunities for other youths, thereby contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment and poverty in the region.”

Continuing he said: “we are aware from our work and experience in the Niger Delta, that no single actor can meet the scale, complexity and resources required to respond to the challenges of social development.

“That is why we continue to partner with other business entities, government, non-governmental organizations and community based organisations.”

Receiving their certificates of merit and starter packs, the beneficiaries were full of gratitude as they thanked SPDC for the turnaround in their lives.

Isaac Stephen, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, lauded the management of SPDC for voluntarily sponsoring them in different trade.

Stephen who doubles as Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disability in Bayelsa, also thanked the management for giving starter packs and the sum of N6m to enhance their trade.

“We are grateful to the company, we did not apply for the training, but SPDC voluntarily offered to train us,” he said.