Photo: DESOPADEC MD Festus Ochonogor, and Executive Director, Social Services, Favour Izoukumor, with a beneficiary
By Deborah Nnamdi, Special Correspondent
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Skill Academy has presented multi-million naira worth of startpacks and N500,000 start-up capital each to 200 entrepreneurs in the 5th edition of its Skill Acquisition Program (DSA) for indigenes of its mandate areas in the state.
At the ceremony, which was held at the PTI Conference Centre, in Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta State, the commission also presented a one-off N100,000 grant to 500 hundred women drawn from its mandate areas.
A beneficiary of an N100,000 cash grant to women in the DESOPADEC Mandate Area
Speaking at the ceremony, on Wednesday Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the commission for the laudable intervention, noting that the initiative was part of efforts to give economic empowerment to youths in the state.
Governor Oborevwori, represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, tasked the beneficiaries to ensure that the expected rippling effects from the gesture improve the living standard of not only their immediate families but the economic life of their localities and by extension the state.
He said, “Today, we are witnessing the launch of the well-resourced starter packs for beneficiaries of DESOPADEC Skill Academy that underscores our commitment to the growth and development of Delta State. As you all know, DESOPADEC is an interventionist agency established by law to provide the needs of oil-producing communities.
“Our communities, often at the height of oil and gas exploration, deserve not only fair compensation but also an investment that fosters long-term development. Today’s event is a defining moment in our journey towards fulfilling the needs of our DESOPADEC mandate areas.
“The provision of starter packs is not merely about providing equipment or infrastructure; it is about creating an environment that nurtures entrepreneurial skills and equipping our youths with the necessary skills they need to succeed.
“By pairing the Skills Academy with these starter packs, we are ensuring that every beneficiary has access to a structured pathway to not only acquire valuable skills but also to apply them. This initiative will directly impact the lives of thousands of people in oil-producing communities in Delta State.
“With these packs, we are offering opportunities for job creation, skill development, empowerment, and economic independence. “Through the starter packs, the beneficiaries will be able to start their own business, contribute to the local economies, and even scale up their ventures for national and global markets.
“The MORE agenda envisions a Delta State where the youths are empowered to lead, where our communities are built in the foundation of human capital, and where infrastructural development catalyzes economic prosperity.
“By focusing on human capital building through initiatives like the DESOPADEC Skill Academy, we are preparing our youths and equipping them with the skills, tools, and mindset to succeed in our ever-changing world,” Oborevwori stated.
The Managing Director, of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, explained that this edition was a shift of paradigm from the previous ones by sourcing entrepreneurs across the ethnic nationalities who needed “a measure of financial boost and relevant tools to take their respective trades to a new level in impact and productivity”.
Photo: Some of the starter-packs
He said that the 200 tradesmen and women emerged after a “painstaking effort” to ensure they met the “stringent conditions of the agency. “However”, he said, “we understand that acquiring skills is only one part of the equation. Many youths, despite being trained, and eager to start their businesses, face significant challenges in accessing the resources they need to equip themselves. This is where the DESOPADEC starter packs come into play.
“We are not only providing starter packs to each of the 200 beneficiaries, but we enhance their smooth take off as they are also offered a cash grant of N500,000.00 to launch their businesses and begin their entrepreneurial journeys.
“These Starter Packs are more than just physical spaces or financial assistance. They are a gateway to economic independence, job creation, and community transformation. Each pack is a well-structured environment, designed to provide the tools, workspace, and infrastructure needed for these young entrepreneurs to thrive. Also, the cash grant of N500,000 is a seed investment to ensure a smooth take-off of their craft and business ventures immediately.
“I want to emphasize that this is a targeted intervention aimed at removing the financial barriers that often prevent our youths from fully tapping into their potential. With the support of the Delta State Government under the able, dynamic, and people-centred leadership of His Excellency the Governor of our dear State, we are ensuring that these individuals have the resources to match their skills, build businesses, and generate income not just for themselves, but also for their families and communities
“Our vision for Delta State, as articulated by His Excellency, the Governor, under the M.O.R.E agenda, is one where human capacity development is at the centre of our growth and progress. By the provision of these Starter Packs, we are helping to unlock the immense potential within our people.
The Executive Director, DESOPADEC, Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, whose directorate midwife the programme, noted that DESOPADEC is aimed at fostering sustainable development across its mandate areas through the academy and presentation of starter packs.
He emphasized that the interventionist agency recognized the gap between “training and implementation”, hence the donation.
“DESOPADEC has taken proactive measures to ensure that these beneficiaries, drawn from our Mandate Areas, are provided with the necessary tools, materials, and seed funding to establish themselves as successful entrepreneurs.”
Charging the beneficiaries to be diligent, innovative, and resilient, Izoukumor said there were monitoring and mentoring agents who would ensure the items were duly utilized.
“This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment, in line with His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori’s sincere determination to empower our people and foster sustainable development across Delta State.
“Our expectation is clear: each beneficiary will utilize this support to build a thriving enterprise, thereby becoming ambassadors of DESOPADEC and contributing to the socioeconomic growth of their communities, in particular, and the state in general. Through the additional business orientation training provided today, coupled with the starter packs and seed funds, we are confident that you are now well-positioned to excel in your respective fields.
“To ensure the sustainability of this initiative, DESOPADEC will deploy Monitoring Teams to provide oversight and guidance. Let me emphasize that the Commission will not condone the misuse of these resources, including the sale of starter packs. These tools are meant to lay the foundation for your success, and we urge you to honour the trust placed in you by utilizing them responsibly”.
Representing the beneficiaries, Beatrice Sunday, Petra Eruke, and Ernest Erhabor, expressed thanks to Governor Oborevwori and DESOPADEC for the gestures, promising to put the items to profitable use.
Cross-section of beneficiaries
Other dignitaries at the event were Chief John Nani, DESOPADEC Board chairman; members of the Delta State House of Assembly including the Chairman House Committee on DESOPADEC, Hon. Austin Uroye; Chief Reginald Okpobor (Finance and Administration) and Hon. Nicholas Efele (Projects) and the commissioners representing the six ethnic nationalities.
Some traditional rulers who graced the event include Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I; the Okobaro of Ughiewven, HRM Owhawha II; the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha, HRM Obukoware I; the Pere of Akugbene-Mein, Pere Kalanama VIII; who is also first Vice Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, the Olu of Warri, HM Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Chief Samuel Koko.
The beneficiaries with skills ranging from electrical and repairs installation; Information and Computer Technology; Hairdressing and Makeover; Fashion design; welding and fabrication; POP, tiling, and interlocking; as well as catering and confectionery received generating sets, ladders, laptops, hairdryers, alternators machines, GEP tanks, chest freezers, ovens among other equipment
