Some beneficiaries of the Empowerment Programme of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs from Ondo State have expressed gratitude to the federal government over their empowerment and successful training as entrepreneurs.

In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on behalf of the beneficiaries by Akinrinlola Olumide, the group commended president Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Omoyele Daramola, for their continuous commitment and sincerity in training and empowering unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region.

The Ondo beneficiaries described the programme as a good initiative of government which will reduce unemployment and youth restiveness in Nigeria.

They advised government to enlarge the scope and increase the seed (start up capital) being distributed to assist beneficiaries commence operation of what they have learnt.

Starnews gathered that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs trained about 1,000 unemployed youths across the Niger Delta region in commercial fishery production, commercial poultry production, Confectionery and household products, Tiling and Landscaping etc.

About 400 students who completed their training at the polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State, were awarded Professional Certificates on Saturday in their various fields. 

At the graduation ceremony in Ibadan, while addressing the  graduands on behalf of Federal Government, prof. Daramola, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, represented by the consultant, Benjamin Erikefe, said the programme was designed by government to produce many entrepreneurs and reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Starnews reports that beneficiaries were selected from the nine states of the Niger Delta region.