NDDC Charges LIFE-ND Trainees to Transform Skills into Sustainable Livelihoods

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has renewed its call for youth and women participating in the FG/NDDC/IFAD LIFE-ND programme to not only acquire skills but to actively apply them in building sustainable livelihoods, especially in agriculture and small-scale enterprises.

This appeal was made by Abi Morris, Special Adviser to the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, during an inspection visit to the LIFE-ND training centre in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The visit is part of NDDC’s monitoring and support efforts to ensure that the programme’s objectives are fully realized on the ground.

Morris, addressing the trainees, emphasized the importance of consistency, discipline, and community-mindedness. He urged participants to see their training as more than personal development, but as a tool for transforming their local economies.

“You have been empowered with practical knowledge that can change your lives and your communities,” he said. “But it is your responsibility to ensure that these skills do not go to waste. Use them to start businesses, create jobs, and support local food systems.”

He further noted that the Niger Delta region, long challenged by underdevelopment and environmental degradation, stands a better chance of rebuilding itself through grassroots economic activities led by its young population.

Highlighting the regional impact of the LIFE-ND initiative, Morris praised the NDDC’s commitment to empowering rural women and youths in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States. He described the funding support from the Commission as a strategic investment in human capital, job creation, and enterprise development.

“Through programmes like LIFE-ND, we are directly addressing the root causes of youth unemployment and rural poverty. We’re providing tools, not just aid. And we expect results,” Morris added.

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) is a collaborative project between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the NDDC, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is designed to enhance income generation through agribusiness incubation, mentorship, and access to finance for youths and women across the Niger Delta region.

Participants undergo hands-on training in various agricultural value chains including poultry, aquaculture, cassava processing, and vegetable farming. They are also supported with enterprise kits, mentorship, and in some cases, start-up funding to launch their own businesses.

Morris concluded his visit by reaffirming the NDDC’s commitment to creating a resilient and economically empowered Niger Delta, especially in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which prioritizes productive employment and inclusive economic development.

As the programme continues to expand, the Commission is expected to replicate similar initiatives across more communities in the region, reinforcing the role of skills acquisition and enterprise as catalysts for sustainable growth.