The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a strong warning to the public regarding a fake skills acquisition programme falsely attributed to the Commission. The alert comes amid claims by a group alleging that the NDDC failed to fulfil its promise to pay trainees who participated in the said training.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Commission categorically denied any involvement in the purported programme and urged the public—particularly youths—to exercise caution to avoid falling victim to fraud.
“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 statement read.
According to the NDDC, the so-called training was reportedly organised by a religious group, Victorious Prayer Network, and allegedly held in Bayelsa and Rivers states. The organisers claimed that the Commission had promised to sponsor over 2,000 trainees and provide them with starter packs. They further accused the NDDC of reneging on this promise.
“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 emphasized that the individuals behind these allegations were never authorised by the NDDC to conduct any skills training on its behalf.
“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,” it stated.
NDDC Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment, Cautions Against Impostors
Reaffirming its commitment to transparent and accountable youth empowerment, the NDDC noted that it had recently launched a comprehensive technical skills acquisition programme in Port Harcourt to equip participants with practical, in-demand skills.
“Members of the public, especially our youths, are advised to be cautious and circumspect in dealing with some questionable persons claiming to be acting on behalf of the NDDC,” the Commission advised.
“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,” it further stated.
The Commission reassured its stakeholders of its commitment to transparency and fairness in all its initiatives, including youth-focused development projects and skill acquisition schemes.
“In light of this unfortunate development, we urge our youth to be wary of desperate people seeking undeserved financial gains,” the statement warned.
The NDDC concluded by urging the public to verify any claims related to its programmes through official communication channels. “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 Commission added.
Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
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