Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), announced that 10,000 youths selected for the NDDC’s Youth Internship Scheme will soon start receiving a monthly stipend of N50,000, starting in December 2024. This initiative aims to provide vital skill development and employment opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta region.
Dr. Ogbuku shared these details while being honored as an “Ambassador Extraordinaire” by the University of Ibadan. The award was presented by a delegation from the university, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale, at a ceremony held at NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The Youth Internship Scheme, which was officially launched in Port Harcourt on August 5, 2024, received a tremendous response, with over three million young people applying.
Out of these, 10,000 individuals will be selected as beneficiaries and paired with organizations to gain hands-on experience over a one-year period. The interns will work in various sectors, learning essential skills to enhance their future employability.
In addition to the internship program, Dr. Ogbuku highlighted another initiative by NDDC aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths. The program, known as the Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE), seeks to identify each young person’s unique interests and needs for targeted skills training, broadening their employment prospects and economic self-sufficiency.
Dr. Ogbuku encouraged the University of Ibadan to intensify its research activities, noting that NDDC would support universities in research initiatives that address critical societal issues. He expressed NDDC’s commitment to sponsoring research projects, particularly those aimed at developing vaccines and solutions for various health and social challenges.
“We are ready to sponsor research, partner with universities to produce life-saving vaccines and produce lasting solutions for medical and social problems,” Dr. Ogbuku stated.
The honor from the University of Ibadan, Dr. Ogbuku said, is a sign that the impact of the NDDC’s work is being recognized nationally. To reinforce these achievements, he announced that the Commission will begin the inauguration of completed projects across the region by early December.
Further strengthening NDDC’s governance, Dr. Ogbuku shared that the global consultancy firm KPMG recently completed a review of the Commission’s corporate governance structure, leading to the implementation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The SOP will serve to reinforce a strong ethical and corporate culture within NDDC, enhancing its operational integrity and effectiveness.
Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the University of Ibadan’s Vice-Chancellor, praised Dr. Ogbuku for his leadership at NDDC, highlighting how the Commission’s projects have made a positive difference in the Niger Delta.
He explained, “We felt it necessary to honor those who have significantly impacted the lives of people in society. That is why we identified Dr. Ogbuku as deserving of recognition as we marked the 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan.”
Prof. Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, also commended Dr. Ogbuku, describing him as a “social scientist” dedicated to societal improvement. The NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, echoed these sentiments, thanking the university delegation and affirming that the relationship between NDDC and the University of Ibadan will continue to thrive.
