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NDDC moves to integrate physically challenged persons in talent hunt

By Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt
21 January 2021   |   2:51 am
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), yesterday, disclosed that it will create programmes to empower people living with disabilities (PLWDs), women and youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), yesterday, disclosed that it will create programmes to empower people living with disabilities (PLWDs), women and youths, as part of measures to end youth restiveness in the region.

Sole Administrator of NDDC, Offiong Akwa, stated this during a meeting with some actors in the creative industry at the commission’s head office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, assuring that NDDC would continue to create programmes that would address challenges of youths in the region.

He said the commission attached great importance to partnerships that would enhance the development of youths, women and PLWDs and assured that the commission would not relent in its resolve to introduce programmes that would provide opportunities for youths to excel.

Special Adviser on Youths to the Interim Administrator, Udengs Eradiri, said it was expedient to debunk the notion that Niger Delta youths were not enterprising.

“We have a lot of energetic, strong and intelligent young people. We will train them to ensure that they are prepared for future challenges. The creative industry is one area where young people thrive. We will partner with known artistes in the region as ambassadors to also pull the other ones up,” he said.

Eradiri explained that the partnership with known artistes from the Niger Delta was meant to develop the talents of youths from across the region, stating: “The creative industry is one area that we can engage a lot of idle young people. We will continue to play our role in supporting institutions to create the platform to push our young people to international society. We must keep the creative sector alive in the Niger Delta to develop young talents to showcase to the world.”

An artiste, Okiri Harry, also known as Harry Song, said the new NDDC youth programme was a dream come true for those in the creative sector, noting that 80 per cent of talents in the entertainment industry was in the Niger Delta.

He said artistes from the region had difficulties getting support and platforms to express themselves over the years, stressing: “Our talented youths are yearning for avenues to express themselves and that is where the Niger Delta Talent Hunt comes in.”

Also, President of Miss Niger Delta Organisation (MNDO), Prince Sodin, commended the NDDC for encouraging youths to realise their potentials, noting that it was important to let the world know their positive attributes.

While congratulating Eradiri on his appointment to oversee youth affairs in the NDDC, he said: “We need to let the world know that we have a beautiful region that should attract investors and we thank the NDDC for being behind the success story we have recorded in the last 20 years.”

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