By Paul Olayemi

The foundation for partnership initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has awarded a N71M grant to nine (9) partners to help train 595 youths in its bid to curb unemployment in the region.

The foundation in a grant award ceremony at Bon hotel in Warri said, the foundation through the Delta Youth Employment Program (DYEP) will adapt the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways Project (NDYEP) piloted model and framework which seeks to map the ecosystem of skills development, and opportunities for employment creation.

Addressing the partners, which include: Foto Afrik International, Aqua Green Integrated, the footwear Academy, Azure Gold Development foundation, Olotu Square, Start Innovation Hub, Amy6015 Global Enterprise, and Nedufactory, the Executive Director of PIND, Dr. Dara Akala, said, “unemployment remains one of the most significant development challenges at this time for governments and actors at the national and sub-national levels, including the Niger Delta, “and that is why we are determined to train youths and not to give out cash as our own way of tackling unemployment in the region

“DYEP was borne as a result of the successes recorded through NDYEP and modelled after the principles and framework of NDYEP to address youth job readiness, workforce development and job creation within in-demand sectors of ICT, Agriculture, Building Construction, Finished Leather and Services (Catering, Decoration and Fashion Designing) in Delta State”.

While congratulating the implementing partners for being picked, the Managing Director said the organizations would equip nearly 595 youth with market relevant skills for work and job creation by providing them with innovative demand-led training and support.

Appreciating PIND for the laudable youth employment program, Fabian Emmanuel of Azure Gold Limited a grant recipient and implementing partner organization for the DYEP program in the Building Construction sector, thanked PIND for the opportunity saying “I will like to thank PIND for this opportunity and on behalf of myself and other implementing grant recipients here today, I assure you that we will deliver on the mandate given to us.

Representing the Asaba Chambers of Commerce, Edwin Chukwuma, Director General of the Chamber of Commerce, described the umbrella body of the organized private sector as the beneficiaries of the program stating that “As employers of labor we are the beneficiaries of this program because we need professionals who are trained in one skill or the other to fit our industrial needs because at the successful end of the program, we will have indigenous hands to handle our jobs instead of hiring foreigners”.

Stakeholders present at the grant award ceremony include: the new implementing partners, government representative from the Ministry of Youth and Job Creation, the Presidents of the Warri and Asaba Chambers of Commerce, Media, and other stakeholders.