NDDC Focuses On Youth Empowerment, Project Hope

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment programmes in the Niger Delta region.
According to a press statement from Pius Ughakpoteni, Director of Corporate Affairs, the Commission’s managing director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made this assurance during a stakeholder meeting in Akure, Ondo State.
Ogbuku, who was represented by Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Executive Director of Corporate Services, emphasised the importance of youth in driving sustainable development.
He stated: “An engaged youth becomes productive not only for himself and his immediate family but also for the larger community.”
Abegunde discussed the NDDC’s youth development initiatives, including Project HOPE, which has seen significant progress.
He explained that “Project HOPE is one of the Commission’s key initiatives aimed at empowering our youth.” This is also consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the region”.
“To ensure the program’s accessibility, NDDC’s Project Hope features a platform where youths can easily register and indicate their respective areas of interest, such as welding, agriculture, and so on.”
The Executive Director of Corporate Services stated that the empowerment initiative aims to promote transparency, accountability, and equal opportunities for all Niger Delta youths to benefit from NDDC’s empowerment programmes.
Meanwhile, the NDDC project HOPE team continued to conduct verification and assessment visits to farmlands donated by communities for the agricultural component of the programme. The team visited communities in Idu, Uruan, Ikot Esen, and Itu Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State to prepare for agricultural activities, which are expected to begin by the end of July.
Mrs. Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, stated that the verification exercise was necessary for a smooth farming operation.
Madume stated: “We are in the process of verification. We came to assess and verify the documents presented to the Commission, as well as to ensure that the consultant worked out details that met our standards.
She stated that the agricultural component of Project HOPE would begin with crop planting on or before the third week of July, and she praised the current leadership at NDDC for implementing programmes that have a direct impact on people’s lives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ambassador Blessing Fubara, the lead Consultant for Project HOPE, stated in his remarks that the team was identifying cluster farm holders and owners to serve as managers of the farms where the programme would be implemented.
He stated, “We are considering allocating ten hectares per farmer in each of the local government areas we deem suitable. This exercise will primarily benefit local content farmers.