Calabar – The Chairman, Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, says the commission is ready to partner an NGO, Bridge Leadership Foundation, to train Niger Delta youths.

Ewa-Henshaw told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar that the commission would embark on the training as part of its youth empowerment and wealth creation initiative.

He said: “When I return to Port Harcourt, I am going to meet with the commission’s Managing Director to discuss modalities for the training.

“We are going to sponsor youths from all the Niger Delta states for three or six months leadership training in order to equip them for the future”.

The chairman said the youths would undergo training in entrepreneurship programmes which would make them to be self-reliant and provide jobs for others.

He said the management of NDDC was developing a model for Information Communication Technology (ICT) training for the youths, including software writing programmes.

“This is to enable them to get Java and Microsoft certifications so that they can work anywhere in the world,” Ewa-Henshaw said.

He also said that the commission was doing the needful to ensure that youths in the region were well equipped to take up leadership roles when necessary.

He appealed to the youth to always work hard and shun acts capable of derailing their future.

Ewa-Henshaw added that “the only time you fail is when you stop trying, so, I want to remind the Niger Delta youths that the time to sit back and wait for handouts is over.

“The culture of begging should not be allowed to take root in the Niger Delta; that is not our culture.

“All you need is an opportunity for you to become somebody,” he said.

Bridge Leadership Foundation which trains youths in leadership roles was founded by Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River.

– NAN