𝗡𝗗𝗗𝗖 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

By NigerDelta Voice,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering more developmental projects and expanding youth empowerment initiatives across the nine states of the Niger Delta, as part of its renewed drive to promote sustainable development and economic growth in the region.

The Commission said it remains committed to improving the lives of people in the Niger Delta through strategic investments in infrastructure, human capital development and economic empowerment programmes designed to create lasting opportunities for residents.

Speaking on the Commission's development agenda, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the intervention agency would continue to prioritise projects that have direct impact on communities while equipping young people with the skills needed to become self-reliant.

According to him, the Commission is implementing various youth-focused programmes in the areas of entrepreneurship, technology, agriculture, vocational training and capacity building to prepare young people for meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Dr. Ogbuku noted that youth empowerment remains one of the key pillars of the Commission's Renewed Hope agenda, stressing that the NDDC is committed to building a new generation of skilled and productive youths capable of driving economic transformation across the region.

He highlighted the progress of the Commission's Project HOPE (Holistic Opportunities, Projects and Engagement) initiative, explaining that millions of youths have already been captured in its digital database for various empowerment opportunities, including training, internships, agricultural development and enterprise support programmes.

The NDDC boss further disclosed that the Commission's Youth Internship Scheme is currently providing practical workplace experience for 10,000 beneficiaries, who are attached to organisations across different sectors while receiving monthly stipends to enhance their employability and prepare them for future careers.

Beyond youth development, the Commission reiterated its resolve to execute more legacy infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, electricity, potable water schemes, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and environmental protection programmes aimed at improving living standards across the Niger Delta.

The Commission maintained that these investments would not only enhance socio-economic development but also attract private sector investments, create employment opportunities and strengthen regional integration.

In the agricultural sector, the NDDC said it would expand the implementation of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Programme, with a target of empowering more than 38,000 youths and women as agripreneurs through modern farming techniques, mentorship and agribusiness support.

The Commission called on youths, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to embrace its programmes and partner with the agency in promoting peace, innovation and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.

The NDDC reaffirmed that it remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of transforming the Niger Delta through inclusive development, strategic partnerships and people-oriented interventions that will positively impact present and future generations.