The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has been charged by The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to focus more on developing and advancing human capital in the Niger Delta region.
Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, The Chairman of the Governing Board, NDDC, made the call when a representative from PHCCIMA paid her a courtesy call at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. Onochie, who applauded the measures made by the Chamber, noted that there was still more to be done in terms of advancing the human capital of the Niger Delta region.
She said: “Developing the people of the Niger Delta region can only be done by experts like you who manage your enterprises.“Development does not only mean building and providing physical infrastructure. The development also lies in the development of our human capital. We will be trusting you for support.”
In his remarks, the PHCCIMA President, Eze Mike Elechi, noted that PHCCIMA was the umbrella body for over 20,000 members of the organized private sector in Rivers State.
He stated: “We want to collaborate with you in the development of micro, small, and medium businesses in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region. We need to partner with the NDDC to train individuals in micro, small, and medium enterprises. We also seek your financial support for the 2023 Port Harcourt International Trade Fair.”
Also addressing a delegation from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) South-South Zone, in her office, the Chairman of the NDDC Board urged youths of the Niger Delta region to focus on acquiring relevant skills that would empower them.
Onochie advised youths to reduce their dependence on white-collar jobs and acquire skills in farming, coding, and artificial intelligence. She noted that the era of total dependence on paper qualifications was over and advised youths to add relevant skills to their qualifications.
The President of the NYCN, Okorie Kenneth, thanked the NDDC Chairman for hosting them, noting that the Niger Delta region was the most deprived in Nigeria. Youths, he said, bear the brunt of economic hardship in the country.
He called for a partnership between the NDDC and the NYCN to tackle youth’s restiveness through sustainable empowerment programmes. Okorie called for the direct involvement of youths in the formulation of youth empowerment programmes of the NDDC.
