The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has trained one thousand Youths from each of the three senatorial districts in Cross River State in Computer Repair and Software Development.
The youths were also empowered with starter kits to use the new skills they have learned in plying their various trades.
The NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote, speaking yesterday at the conclusion of the three-week training said that the Youths were also given access to end-to-end entrepreneurial facilities which included such as starter kits, shops, and stipends, among others, to enable them to make meaningful contributions to the country’s economy.
“This is the sixth graduation ceremony by NCMBD which has taken place in Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Cross River and Bauchi where 4000 youths have so far been trained and provided the needed skills to help them become entrepreneurs,” Wabote said.
According to Wabote, the mission of the NCMDB is to equip young people with high-impact software in the fields of development, oil and gas, agriculture, and technology so they can get involved in worthwhile endeavors in the future.
Urging the youths to take the trainings they have received seriously, Wabote said, “If 10 per cent of beneficiaries of this programme become successful, we would be satisfied because that number can make impact on the society and can move Nigeria forward.”
Speaking at the event, the member representing Obanlikwu/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NCMDB, Hon. Legor Idagbo, claimed that the organizers had made sure that the choice of youths for the training had nothing to do with partisanship. He also noted that youths from every part of the state were given the opportunity to participate in the training.
Each trainee will receive a N125,000 stipend, an equipped store, and a laptop to practice their profession, the lawmaker revealed.
Idagbo tasked them with using their newfound knowledge and resources for empowerment wisely.
“As Chairman of Local Content in the House of Representatives, I brought this training to my constituency some months back and saw the benefits therefrom, which is why I thought it wise to expand it to the entire state to better the lot of more youths”, Idagbo said.
The State Deputy Governor Prof. Ivara Esu, who represented Governor Ben Ayade announced that the state will award youths who benefited from the program a three-year tax exemption to run their enterprises.
Esu further pledged that people who wanted to apply for loans from the Bank of Industry would receive the required assistance from the state government.
“We want to advice you because in the past we had seen experiences like this, and some youths began by selling off their starter packs. But, you should use what is given you to become entrepreneurs and change your life for better”, Esu said.
