by crossriverwatch admin
Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to youth empowerment and wealth creation initiative of the Federal government.
Speaking while receiving the Supervising Minister for Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs, Architect Darius Ishaku, shortly after the graduation ceremony of the first batch of 100 graduates of the Niger Delta Skill Acquisition Center (Phone and Ipad Assembling plant component), in Calabar recently, Imoke opined: “For us in Cross River, impacting the necessary skill on the youths is imperative if there must be meaningful development in the country.”
The governor commended the ministry for what he described as “its effort in implementing aggressive youth empowerment program of which ICT is a key component. It indicates genuine intention to transform the country and better the lots of youths in the region.”
While thanking Jonathan for envisaging the exploration of ICT potentials amongst the youth which products, he noted, dominated the market today, Governor Imoke maintained that “with over 100 million active phone users and over 50 million persons having access to internet, the phone assembly plant is the best move for youths to benefit from the huge demand in the sector.”
According to him, the initiative would tremendously bridge the skill gap and grow the economy.
He lauded the ministry for siting the plant in Calabar and promised to collaborate with the Center to ensure that it does not only operate in a sustainable manner, but also expand its existing facility to carter for more needs and accommodate more youths in the region.
Earlier, Architect Darius Ishaku said the idea of the phone assembling plant was initiated as part of the ICT policy of the ministry in collaboration with Nigerians ICT Professionals in Diaspora, adding that the effort has today culminated in what is referred to as Niger Delta Skill Acquisition Center for phone and Ipad assembling plant to empower youths in the region.
According to the Minister, “the choice of Calabar for the plant was not in error, noting that it was deliberate because of its proximity to Free Trade Zone which will make it possible for the entrepreneurs to export their finished products outside the country, coupled with the prevailing peace and security as well as the ambiance of the state. We found the best place for this project in Niger Delta here in Calabar.”
follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch
Leave feedback about this