NDDC unveils portal for youth internship scheme
…Warns against unruly behavior
From Chris Eze, Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has formally unveiled the portal where youths in the Niger Delta region can apply for training in various skills and vocations.
The program known as Youth Internship Scheme is expected to engage no fewer than 10,000 youths in its first phase,
At the official launch of the scheme in Port Harcourt on Monday, Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku disclosed that beneficiaries of the scheme would be entitled to a monthly stipend of N50,000 for the one year duration of the internship program.
According to the Managing Director, the internship would expose the youths to training in agriculture, computer, automobile, craftmanship, maritime, sports, arts, music among others.
“We thought it necessary to expose our youths in the various areas and also engage them”, he stressed.
He dispelled insinuations that the commission came up with ithe scheme in response to the protests over hardship, explaining that the program alongside other upcoming programs were already contained in the commission’s 2024 budget
The MD warned that any disorderserly behavior from any beneficiary in the course of the internship would lead to the termination or disqualification of the person concerned .
He stated that consultants have been engaged by the commission to handle the internship and would be expected to file quarterly report on the exercise including the conduct of the trainees.
He therefore appealed to the youths to avail themselves of the opportunity and put up responsible behavior and attitudes during the internship and gain skills and knowledge to foster their lives.
Ogbuku urged the youths to register online via the portal, www.nyis.nddc.gov.ng pointing out that the essence of using online is to ensure transparency.
He stressed that the internship is open to youths in the 9 NDDC states, in the ratio of equality of states and quota of crude oil production by the states.
The MD gave aasurance that the commission has developed a strong data base with six servers to forestal cases of glitch in order to ensure a hitchfree application by the youths.
He commended the youths for keeping to their promise not to engage in violent protests in the ongoing nationwide protest over prevailing hardship in the country.
Performing the official launch of the portal, chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie urged the youths to take the internship scheme seriously in order to gain skill sets that would impact their lives positivity.
He pointed out that the application is free, but open only to those not above 45 years
The board chairman appealed to the people not to falsify their ages in order to fall into the required age range, saying such would rob those the scheme is meant for the opportunity to benefit..
He added that special provision have been made to accomodate persons living with disabilities, urging all eligible applicants to visit the portal and apply before the portal closes on August 31, 2024.
