By Ahmed Rahma
Some unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria will undergo training at the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The training is being sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and it is aimed to involve the youths in productive activities instead of militancy.
The Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr Efiong Akwa, explained that the indigent Niger Delta youths would receive technical skills at the company.
Speaking after inspecting facilities at Innoson’s factory, according to a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede, the agency’s chief said the idea of his programme is to set up a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Niger Delta in the near future.
Mr Akwa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Youths, Mr Udengs Eradiri, said that the training would commence at Innoson Kiara Academy, a technical and vocational institution, affiliated with Innoson.
“The youth will be trained in fabrication, assembly, painting and corrosion control, among others.
“We thought that due to the growing economy of the Niger Delta, it is important to begin to grow our own skills to be better and able to manage our economy.
“Though NDDC is already in partnership with Innoson on the training of youths in different aspects of automobile maintenance, this visit is to firm up the partnership,” he said.
He stated that the Presidential Amnesty Programme had trained several youths from the region in the facility, with good results.
”So, we are aware that the training facility teaches skills, altitude and entrepreneurship.
”We know that if the youth learn one skill or the other, they should be able to translate it into financial gains,” he said.
Also speaking, Innoson’s Kiara Academy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Endi Ezengwa, thanked the commission for considering the facilities at Innoson motors for the training.
According to him, the region is blessed with so much talent that needed to be harnessed and channelled into constructive use, for the industrialisation of the Niger Delta zone.
”Innoson Group will, in due course, set up workshops in the Niger Delta zone, in collaboration with organisations like NDDC,” he assured.
