FG of Nigeria plans micro-finance scheme for non-militant trainees

THE Federal Government has concluded arrangements to commence a micro-finance scheme that would enable all the trainees in the Niger Delta access soft loans with which to either start-off or finance their

businesses.

Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Sam Odeh, who disclosed this during the graduation of 50 non-militant youths of Niger Delta origin at Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Warri, Delta State, said the government’s desire for the trainees was not only to be self-employed but also employers of labour.

Dr. Ode also reiterated that the Federal Government had resolved to continue to invest in youths through capacity building programmes.

According to him, the graduation of the youths marks an epoch-making event in that the Ministry was graduating the last set of 50 youths from the Institute.  He called on the graduating students to make good use of the knowledge acquired during the training to justify the huge investment of the Federal Government on them.

He disclosed further that the Ministry was working closely with the private sector, particularly those located in the Niger Delta on how some of the youths could be offered gainful employment.

The minister added that the Ministry was also finalizing arrangements to commence a micro-finance scheme that would enable all the Ministry’s trainees, cooperative societies and individuals in the Niger Delta access soft loans, either to start-off or finance their businesses. 

Addressing the graduands, Odeh said “the training programme is for you to acquire skills that would enable you, not only to be self-employed, but also employers of labour.”