By Emma Amaize

EGBOKODO—SHELL Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNPECo, one of the three finance partners of the Delta State Government –owned Multipurpose Youth Training Centre, Egbokodo, Warri, Delta State, has pulled out of the funding of up-to-the-minute vocational institution. The state government, United Nation Development Programme, UNDP, and Shell had been jointly funding the centre, founded in 2008 and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services, UNOPS, until recently.

The fact came to light when the Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, visited the multi-billion naira youth training centre to inspect the facilities at the centre, a job creation and conflict initiative of the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Omolubi was conducted round the centre by the Administrative Manager, Mrs. Ngozi Mogbolu, who explained: “The certificate we offer is City and Guilde.

“It is also important to note that the centre is funded by three development partners, though funded by two for now because one of the funding three partners, the SPDC, had since withdrawn. “Presently we have the United Nation Development Projects, UNDP, as a funding partner and the Delta state government, which is the major funding partner, while the United Nations of Projects Services, UNOPS, is the managing partner of the project.”

Why it withdrew—Omolubi

The commissioner told Niger Delta Voice that the withdrawal of Shell from the centre followed the divestment of the company from its operations and liabilities in the state. He said: “Since Shell divested its operations in the state, including its liabilities to different companies, some of the beneficiaries have not started operations for us to know which is which, and for now, we do not even know which company is responsible for Shell’s funding in the centre.

“I will ask questions to find out so that we can approach them to continue with the kind responsibility.”

Uduaghan’s vow

Comrade Newuwumi said Governor Uduaghan was totally committed to the overall development of youths in the state and that was the reason the centre was set up. He said: “No effort will be spared by the administration of Governor Uduaghan to tame youth restiveness, our dynamic governor is committed to the development of our youths and other sectors.”

Appeal to youths

“It is my appeal to our youths to take full advantage of this place; they should key into the activities of the centre as this administration is determined to develop our youths mentally and physically. “We are out to change the mindset of our youths. We must sell what we have so that we can reach out to so many of our youths and as a Ministry, we are ready to join the management of the centre to give the place the needed publicity. “We are using this opportunity to tell all Deltans that we have everything in the centre. We are more than capable in trans-forming every youth to be a better person in Delta state.”

Vision

Conducting the commissioner round the centre earlier, Mrs. Mogbolu said the vision behind the setting up of the place was to take Delta youths off violence by making them usefully engaged. She said: “On the long run, state government hopes to establish two more of such and is tailored towards different sectors of the national economy. “I will also say that the centre is very well positioned to contribute to two if not three development objectives of the Government Uduaghan-led administration, which is human capital development, peace and security.

“Presently we have about 120 students, though the full capacity of the center is about 150, but we have 120 for now. We conduct training for the student in seven vocational areas. “We have the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical and Electronics Installation, Catering and Hotel Management, Welding and Fabrication and Motor Vehicle Mechanics and Diesel plant Fitting and Maintenance.”

Free boarding, food, tuition

There are some peculiar things about the school. Besides modern boarding facilities situated in apposite learning environment, food, fees for tuition, courses, accommodation and examinations are free for students. All the students have to do are to make themselves available for studies.

Challenges

She, however, said the school was facing challenges, notable among which is accreditation by the National Board of Technical Education, NBTE, and gazette of the centre. “It is the thinking of the partners that if the gazette is facilitated and concluded before the exit of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is the initiator of the program, it will go a long way to facilitate our activities and ensure the sustainability of the centre,” She added.