By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Centre for Community Development and Research Network (CCDRN) funded by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) and its partners-Nigerian National Petroleum Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company have organized an exhibition of products produced by the 3,400 vulnerable persons trained on lifesaving skills in Yobe State.
In his remarks before the inspection of the exhibition, the CCDRN Director Programmes, Abba Isiaku Adamu revealed a total number of 3,400 vulnerable persons drawn from Gujba and Jakusko local government areas were trained and given starter packs.
“The SPDC Joint Venture Livelihood projects is an exhibition from Gujba and Jakusko local government areas showcasing a wide range of incoming generating products and services including well-packaged groundnut oil, local pasta, leather work, and tailoring materials among others”.
“In addition to being trained and given starter packs, the beneficiaries underwent capacity-building training, mentorship and business development support and were linked to market outlets. This exhibition is organized to mark the end of an intervention support provided for the conflict affected areas” he said.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs, Kaku Bizi commended the CCDRN and the SPDC-JV for impacting positively on the lives of the vulnerable persons in the two local government areas. He said the initiative has supported the government of Yobe state especially now that the state is at the recovery stage.
Also in their goodwill messages, the Emir of Gujba represented by Abba Mai-Muktar, the District Head of Gujba as well as the Director Rescue of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said the 3,400 beneficiaries of the training have received empowerment training that will support them recover from their lost means of livelihood.
The aim of the exhibition is to showcase the products, gain patronage and establish business linkages. It is also to enable the stakeholders to appreciate the investments of the SPDC-JV in Yobe state through the CCDRN.
