By Emma Una, Calabar

NIGERIAN Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, on Monday handed starter- packs to 1000 trainees who graduated from its skills training programme in Cross River

The youths drawn from the three Senatorial districts of the state were given three weeks training in phone, computer repairs, software development and enterpreneurship training to equip them with skills to start businesses and contribute to the country’s economic and technological advancement.

In his speech to handover certificates and starter-packs to the trainees, the Secretary of NCMBD , Engineer Simbi Wabote said apart from providing training to the youths, they are being equipped with end-to-end enterpreunership facilities including starter-packs, shops, stipends and registration of companies to help them become useful to themselves and effective contributors to the growth of Nigerian economy.

“This is the sixth graduation ceremony by NCMBD which have taken place in Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Cross River and Bauchi where 4000 youths have so far been trained and provided the needed skills to help them become enterprenuers”

Engineer Wabote said the mandate of the NCMBD is to provide youths with high impact software in development, oil and gas , agriculture and technological skill to help them harness their skills and get a new lease of life.

He said mobile techologies have become an indispensable components of human existence and called on them not take the training for granted but to take their training seriously to better their lot because everything is now on their hands to succeed.

“If 10% of beneficiaries of this programme become successful we would be satisfied because that number can make impact on the society and can move Nigeria forward”.

Also speaking, Legor Idagbor the member representing Obanlikwu/Obudu/Bekwara federal constituency and Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on NCBD said the training is not politicized inorder to give all Youths of all creed and political leaning an opportunity to acquire the needed skills and empower themselves and the society.

He said each trainee will get 125,000 naira stipend, a furnished shop and a laptop and admonished them to make good use of whatever is given to them.

“As Chairman of Local Content in the House of Representatives, I brought this training to my constituency some months back and saw the benefits therefrom which is why I thought it wise to expand it to the entire state to better the lot of more youths”

Prof Ivara Esu who represented the governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade said the youths who benefited from the training would be given three years tax exemption to youths who operate their businesses and would support access to funds from Bank of Industry.

“We want to advice you because in the past we have had seen experiences like this and some youths began by selling off their starter packs but you should use what is given you to become enterprenuers and change for life for better”