Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo
Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has provided comprehensive Starters Pack worth several millions of Naira to the Third Batch of it’s Skills Academy.
Presenting the starter packs to the 173 graduating students, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) disclosed that the
DESOPADEC Skills Academy (DSA) was floated in 2020 by the current Board of the Commission to train, equip and empower young persons to pursue a life of productive engagement.
Bashorun Ogieh said that the objectives of the Academy was drawn from the important cardinal programme of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s drive on human capital development.
He said that the Wealth Creation Office of the Okowa-led administration had trained and empowered over 20,000 youths in various fields of human endeavour through programmes like: STEP, YAGEP, RYSA and others
According to Bashorun Ogieh “at the inception of our Board, three years ago, we found it imperative to key into his vision knowing that it is aimed at enhancing the prosperity of our citizens for a Stronger Delta.”
He added, “this realisation gave birth to the DESOPADEC Skills Academy which we have now institutionalised to reinforce the impact of the State Government on the youth of our mandate communities.”
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC said that the economy of the world was driven to skills noting that mere formal education without practical and professional skills was fast becoming unfashionable.
He further disclosed that the Commission would continue to maintain and accelerate it’s interventions in the provision of physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, jetties, markets, civic centres and social services ranging from education to health, power and housing it’s mandate areas.
Bashorun Ogieh added, “our undertaking in human capital development is borne not only out of the need to mould our youths into skilled, productive and independent men and women, but also out of the understanding that the life wire of prosperous societies is in the massiveness and effectiveness of small and medium scale enterprises, and that is our vision for our mandate areas.”
“He spoke further, “we started the first batch in 2020 with 157 Trainees not minding the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we pushed forward to achieve the second batch with 168 Trainees and now the third batch of 173 graduands.”.
Bashorun Ogieh said that the third batch made up of 50 men and 123 women were trained in Welding and Fabrication; Electrical Installations and Repairs; Information and Communication Technology, ICT; Health
Other fields included: Safety and Environment Services; Interlocking, P.O.P and Tiling in Building Services; Hairdressing and Makeover; Fashion Design; Catering and Confectionery; Cosmetology and Makeover and Shoe Making.
He said that a total of 504 persons had graduated so far from the three batches adding that the Commission was proud of the feedbacks from the first and second batches and expressed hope that the alumni of the third batch would achieve even greater success.
Bashorun Ogieh spoke further, “we are completing our side of the bargain today by providing you the comprehensive Starter Packs for your various business areas and N200,000 each for set up. As is our tradition, we are also awarding the sum of N200,000 to the Best Trainee in each skill category and the sum of N500,000 to the Overall Best Trainee.”
He urged them to think positively and back their dreams with action noting that it took vision, self belief, focus, determination, hard work, discipline and positive attitude to succeed.
Also speaking, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State who was represented by Hon. Festus Agas, Chief of Staff, Government House urged the Commission to set up a monitoring team to monitor and mentor the graduands to access the successes and failures of the programme.
Dr. Okowa commended DESOPADEC for sustaining the wealth creation programmes of the state government.
According to Dr. Okowa, “take you skill seriously; be proud of your new skills. This is a narrative that will change your story line, therefore, go into Delta and Nigeria and conquer the economy. Do not sell your starters pack, use them to add value to the society.”
Some of the items included: hair dryers, generating sets, freezers, ovens, cooking pots, ICT materials and among others.
