The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG under the leadership of Comrade Ajagbe Oritsegbegbemi have accused Delta State Government of marginalization in the number of persons shortlisted for interview into Skills’ Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, YAGEP initiated by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to empower 6,000 youths in the State.
In a statement signed by NAIG President, Comrade Ajagbe Oritsegbegbemi and Secretary, Comrade Ben Eburajolo, the Itsekiri graduates’ body expressed dismay at the list released, despite their resolve to work with the State Government. “In as much as we intend to work with the State Government, we are dismayed at the outcome of the first batch of the empowerment recruitment,” the statement noted.
While also rejecting on-going moves by the State Government to restructure Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC through the proposed amendment of DESOPADEC bill, NAIG urged the State Government to immediately address the perceived lopsided of Itsekiri graduates in the YAGEP and STEP Programmes.
According to the association, governor Okowa’s planned amendment of DESOPADEC bill with the intent of renaming and restructuring the interventionist agency “is not in the best interest of the oil producing areas in Delta State”.
The mediums of collecting the 6, 000 youth empowerment programmes initiated by Governor Okowa came with its controversy, as some Itsekiri and Isoko groups alleged political marginalization.
In a swift reaction, Political Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Omimi Esquire stated that no group was marginalized in the selection process of the empowerment programmes, saying over 70,000 persons applied and due process was followed in arriving at the number of persons shortlisted for interview in the YAGEP and STEP Programmes.
Hon. Omimi disclosed that of the 150 applicants shortlisted for interview in Warri South Local Government Area, only 50 persons will be taken for the trainning programmes, insisting that nobody influenced the process.
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