The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has graduated 30 youths from its advanced fashion and garment design training programme, as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities in the region.
The Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony in Port Harcourt, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Ogbuku said the beneficiaries were selected from 100 youths who participated in the commission’s fashion design training in 2025, based on their competence and interest in the industry.
He urged the graduates to put their newly acquired skills to productive use by establishing businesses, creating jobs and passing their knowledge on to others.
The NDDC managing director said the commission had invested public funds in the programme to equip young people with practical skills for economic independence. He encouraged the beneficiaries to seek mentorship from their training consultant, fashion entrepreneur Greg Daniel, as they develop their careers.
Ogbuku also disclosed plans by the commission to expand its youth empowerment initiatives to include training in artificial intelligence and other technology-related fields, which he described as important for preparing young people for future employment opportunities.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, described the programme as an investment in human capacity development and regional economic growth. He urged the graduates to uphold discipline, creativity, professionalism and integrity while building their businesses.
Similarly, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, encouraged the beneficiaries to apply the practical knowledge acquired during the training to establish sustainable businesses.
The Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Lyna Okara, urged the graduates to develop distinctive fashion brands capable of competing beyond the Niger Delta.
The training consultant, Greg Daniel, commended the NDDC for supporting youth development, saying the participants had received advanced instruction in garment production and entrepreneurship.
