The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has pledged to not only ensure the continuity of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy but also increase the empowerment package for the graduands.
Oborevwori gave the assurance at the matriculation ceremony of the 4th batch of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy held on Tuesday at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.
Commending the commission for its proactive initiatives and commitment to the socioeconomic elevation of the oil producing communities, Oborevwori noted that the Delta State Government has always taken the issue of human capital development seriously and that it will be given even more priority attention when he assumes office as the Governor of Delta State.
“I want to assure the DESOPADEC, right away, that the Skills Academy programme will continue when I come in, by the grace of God, as Governor of Delta State. Not only that, the empowerment package will also be increased starting from the graduands of this 4th batch. This is consonant with my cardinal programme which is MORE, for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security.
“I wish to also emphasize the high premium our dear Governor, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa places on skills acquisition programmes as exemplified at the state level by programmes as YAGEP, GEST among others.
It is within this context that I want to particularly thank the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh and his management team for the setting up and the smooth running of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy.
“Without second-guessing, DESOPADEC management mission with this programme is to complement what His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is doing at the state level, which is to empower our youths with cutting edge skills and create opportunities for serial entrepreneurs across board.”
He enjoined the trainees to be focused and be self determined to make good use of the opportunity.
“My dear matriculants, you are all living in the most advanced moment of the world today, where technology, exceptional and quality skills are dictating the pace of progress of individuals and nations. Today, you have been given the platform and opportunity by the DESOPADEC Skills Academy to acquire relevant skills and knowledge to re-invent yourself and change the world with your skills and knowledge, because the world is yours to conquer. So, touch your dreams!”
In the same vein, the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, earlier in his address, assured the the trainees on the commitment of the commission to their growth but charged them to equally invest themselves for their own good.
“At DESOPADEC we derive great joy in this programme because it is a platform for the mobilisation and galvanisation of our people into not just skilled, productive and economically independent persons, but an army of entrepreneurs and employers of labour who in their different clusters are already making a difference in the economic and commercial life of our communities.
“Only a few weeks ago, we graduated the 3rd batch of 168 graduands, bringing the total number of our graduates to over 500, and we are delighted that soon after, we are now matriculating the 4th batch.
“As a State and as a Commission, we have a stake in you, to make you skillful, successful and useful to yourself, your family and your community, and also contributive to our state and nation.
“Therefore, our investment in you is to provide you the best training, in the best environment, with the best trainers and with the most standard equipment to practice.
“We will support you, we will be by you, we will walk with you every inch of the way and, at the end, we will provide you quality Starter Packs, complete with all necessary instruments, tools and devices required for your trade, as well as considerable financial empowerment to enable you set up your business.
“We will mentor you and we will be praying for you to grow into big and successful businesses. But the next question to ask is: What will be your investment in yourself for yourself?
“All we require from you is your discipline, dedication, hard work and determination to succeed.”
