NDDC Denies Involvement in Fake Skills Training, Warns Public to be Vigilant

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent skills acquisition programme circulating in some parts of the region, warning the public to be wary of false claims being made in its name.

In a statement released Tuesday from its headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Commission clarified that it did not authorise or sponsor any such training and described as false the allegations that it had failed to pay trainees who participated in the scheme.

Signed by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the statement read:

“The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission has been drawn to a report circulating in the media, claiming that the NDDC has failed to fulfil its promise to pay trainees for a purported skill acquisition programme.”

The programme in question was reportedly organised by a religious group known as Victorious Prayer Network and held in Bayelsa and Rivers states. The organisers claimed that the NDDC promised to sponsor over 2,000 trainees and provide them with starter packs—a promise they now accuse the Commission of abandoning.

But the NDDC said no such training had its endorsement.

“We wish to clarify that the NDDC approved no such training programme, and whatever training was organised under suspicious circumstances did not have the blessings and approval of the Commission,” the statement added.

The Commission went further to distance itself from the organisers:

“We wish to state unequivocally that the NDDC is not behind this particular skill acquisition training. Our programmes are usually well-advertised and open to scrutiny. We recently launched a comprehensive technical skills acquisition programme to equip participants with practical, in-demand skills in Port Harcourt.”

The NDDC warned young people in the region not to fall victim to individuals or groups exploiting their hopes for gainful opportunities.

“It is disturbing that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are genuinely eager to be gainfully engaged in legitimate activities,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to fairness and transparency, the Commission urged members of the public to always verify any claims regarding its empowerment schemes.

“All inquiries about our youth empowerment programmes should be channelled through our official communication platforms. We also encourage beneficiaries of our programmes to verify facts on the NDDC’s official website and our social media handles,” the statement concluded.