As part of
efforts to ensure peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region, the Federal
Government has empowered not less than 40 ex- agitators, who recently concluded
their vocational training under the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Rivers
State.
Also, the
government had deployed the first tranche of 100 delegates from a total number
of 1000 for training at the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality
in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
Vanguard
report that the training is projected to explore the diverse business
opportunities inherent in the rich cultural heritage of African societies with
a particular emphasis on the peculiarity of the Niger Delta eco-system for
tourism.
Speaking shortly after commissioning of some fish farms and commodity
shops in Okrika, Rivers State, The Special Adviser to the President on Niger
Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig Gen.
Paul
Boroh, said the government remains focused on its part in helping young people
develop skills to start small and medium scale enterprises. He said this would
help them find their foot at the teething stage of businesses, describing the
empowerment initiative under the Amnesty Office as a unique complement to
consolidate the overall development of affected delegates.
The Coordinator
revealed that thousands of delegates have already been empowered with start-up
kits to open new businesses which are duly registered at the Corporate Affairs
Commission, CAC, with a promise to empower more in 2017.
On the Tourism
development in Niger Delta region, Boroh who officially flagged off the
training exercise in Yenogoa, described the training as a good example of
applying home-grown technique to develop the human capacity needed for the sector.
He was quite emphatic on the immense opportunities in Tourism in Nigeria and
the need for growing a breed of core professionals in the hospitality sector.
”
As the Niger Delta region continues to grow and expand, the corresponding
influx of people and rise in population makes tourism and the hospitality
business a prime money making machine,” Boro said. In his remarks, the
Commissioner for Tourism and Development in Bayelsa State, Hon. Ebiere Irene
Musa called on the former agitators and beneficiaries to embrace the training
with commitment, focus and strong zeal to succeed.
She expressed optimism over
the fate of successful trainees explaining that Nigeria is replete with
abundant opportunities for them to ply their trade. The Rector of the International
Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Mr Samuel Timi reiterated the institute
readiness to deliver on its mandate to produce professionals capable of making
Nigeria a reference point in the business of Tourism and hospitality.
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