The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and partners have said more than 2,000 displaced and vulnerable women affected by conflicts will receive vocational training and business start-up kits in Mafa and Jere local government areas of Borno State.
The Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Ltd (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni disclosed during the flag-off of “Borno Livelihood Programme” in Maiduguri yesterday.
He said more than 100 persons living with disabilities would also benefit from this intervention.
Elohor said NPPCL and SNEPCo with its other co-venture partners targeted vulnerable persons, especially women and youth with skills to start-up businesses and help them rebuild their lives impacted by the insurgency in the northeast region.
“In line with our ambition to power progress by powering lives, we shall be supporting those who have been impacted by these security incidents to set up viable businesses; equipping them with the essential tools and resources they need to become self-reliant and successful entrepreneurs.
“More than 2,000 beneficiaries will participate in training to equip them with vocational skills such as catering, animal husbandry, tailoring and laundry. The beneficiaries will also be encouraged to set up cooperative societies.
“To ensure sustainability, the project managers will assist beneficiaries to register with various skill or trade associations in the communities while also providing mentoring and coaching to achieve continuous capacity building,” she said.
He added that the training will be delivered in close collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Women Affairs, Jere and Mafa local government’s councils and community leaders.
It would be recalled that last year, SNEPCo powered lives by constructing and renovating two primary healthcare centres for internally displaced persons in Borno and Yobe states, providing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, medical infrastructure, and training for 252 healthcare workers.
