By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE leadership of Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State and a non governmental organization, Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration, (IYAMIDR) have entered into an agreement to train 50 youths from the area on skills acquisition in Italy.

Chairman of the council, Hon Kelly Inedegbor and the Executive Director of IYAMIDR, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect on Thursday in Uromi, the headquarters of the local government area where they said the beneficiaries would acquire training in gas pipe welding, yacht, maintenance, rail track installation and maintenance among other vocations.

Okoduwa who is also the international training coordinator of the program said the training would ensure that youths in the Niger Delta region were empowered through quality skill acquisition thereby curbing youth restiveness in the region.

He said the training is funded by Garudha Putih Nederlands Bv and facilitated by Transparency and Sensitisation Support Initiative (TSSI) with the support of Bayelsa state government.

The anti- immigration group also task the council to ensure that those to benefit from the program are youth of proven character that will utilize the opportunity.

Okoduwa said “Today, we have an international organization that has approved the training for 1000 youths in the Niger Delta region to be trained in Marine wielding, Gas pipe wielding , safety management, and crane driving among others

“All these areas are covered by Garuppete, an NGO in the Netherlands and it is being facilitated by the Transparency and Sensitization Initiative in Abuja. The training is an all-expense paid trip and for you to be part of it, you have to come through a credible source.”

On his part, Inedegbor thanked the group for the opportunity offered the council to be part of the empowerment package for 50 youths from the locality.

He said “I want to thank you for the opportunity to nominate people from my council for this training. Personally, I have a strong passion for youth development. I want to reassure you that within the shortest possible time I will sort for deserving youths that will attend this program.”

The chairman noted that the council under his watch has embarked on some laudable programs and advocacy aimed at improving the interest of youth in education and other meaningful vocations.