Story
from the perspective of the ebullient Usimo Bayagbon, an insider’s insight to DSYEP
programme that took some youths of Delta state origin to far away Trinidad and
Tobago and Barbados for skills acquisition.
The Delta State Youth Empowerment Programme (DSYEP) was an
initiative aimed at equipping the youths of Delta state with the requisite
technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills needed to develop sustainable
livelihood (empowerment)
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| Bayagbon, with the trainees boarding the plane |
Statistically, Nigeria
has a youth population of about 67 million, aged between 15 and 35 years, 42.2 percent of these young
people don’t have a means of livelihood, while only about percent have more
than a secondary school certificate. These figures reveal that the majority of
the youths in our country find it hard to make ends meet, thereby making it
imperative for effective youth empowerment strategies to be initiated in our
country.
The Delta state
government, recognizing this gap, quickly keyed into meeting and addressing
some of these critical needs, through its youth empowerment initiatives.
The Delta state Youth
Empowerment Programme (DSYEP) 2014, on the island of
Trinidad and Tobago as well as Barbados is the first of its kind in Delta
state; the brainchild of the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was instituted under the umbrella of the Delta Beyond
Oil initiative. Its
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| The students with Prof. Eghagha on the tarmac. |
mission was to harness the production potential of Delta
state youths, with the ultimate objective of launching an era of rapid and
sustainable social and economic development, geared towards transforming the
state into the most peaceful and industrialized state in Nigeria.
DSYEP success story
officially began in May 2014 after the highly publicized application process,
screening and transparent selection of successful candidates by the Ministry of
Higher Education, under the leadership of Prof. Hope Eghagha, the Honorable
Commissioner for Higher Education. Other members of the project’s central
working committee were former Delta state Commissioners, Mr Ebifa Ijeoma,
(Youth), Olorogun Kenneth Okpara (Finance) and Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN,
(Justice), at the time of inception.
They were complemented
by the ever vibrant and courteous staff of the Ministry of Higher Education and
the administrative personnel from the other Ministries mentioned above, who
were drafted in and subsequently constituted into a sub-committee to handle the
programme with utmost and commendable dedication from the get go, beginning
with the orientation exercise at the famous Songhai resort centre in Agbarho,
Ethiope East LGA, Delta state.
As to be expected of
every human endeavour however, where there are no challenges, there are no
victories and upon the successful exercise and return from the orientation at
Songhai in July, 2014, and all was set for the smooth departure of the selected
candidates to Trinidad and Tobago for the commencement of their academic
programme, when some critical but external issues emerged, which were not
within the powers of the Ministry to fully address.
These seemingly
intractable issues, which required negotiated rather than administrative
resolutions, emerged unexpectedly and lingered from July, after the orientation
till October 2014 and in the process, not only delayed the take off date, even
after the completion of necessary travel arrangements by the end of August, but
posed a major obstacle for the DSYEP plans, when the government of Trinidad and
Tobago placed a ban on Nigerians with entry visa into the island, on October
17, 2014, due to the presence of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, which
suddenly reared its ugly head in Nigeria.
The Ebola scourge was
eventually conquered swiftly and within a couple of weeks too in Nigeria, which
impressed the Trinidadian Government to eventually lift the travel ban on
October 23rd, 2014, following the World Health Organization WHO’S
declaration that Nigeria was Ebola free.
The joy and happiness
of the DSYEP trainees knew no bounds as words were insufficient to describe how
relieved they were, when departure messages were sent across from the Ministry
of Higher Education, which subsequently led to the mobilization of the trainees
from Asaba to Lagos on the 1st of November 2014.
However, the joy of
departure was short-lived following unforeseen problems with departure
logistics, as well as airline landing permit issues, thus forcing the Delta
State government to keep the trainees together at the Lagos Airport Hotel for a
period of 22 days.
This singular act, of
not disbanding the project at this critical stage and in view of all the
emergent and resolved obstacles hitherto experienced since inception,
essentially showed proof of the Delta State Government’s commitment to the
success of the programme.
It is also pertinent
to note that the over three weeks of delay spent at the hotel, while the travel
logistics were sorted out, greatly helped the trainees to develop a spirit of
togetherness and a solid bonding which fostered a close relationship above all,
irrespective of how disappointed they were, and also eventually served them
well during the course of the training in Trinidad and Tobago.
DSYEP finally took off
when the successful 150 trainees and five chaperons were airlifted from the
Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja on 1st Dec, 2014 on a 12 hour
journey to the Island of Trinidad and Tobago to begin their training at the
National Energy Skill Centre (NESC) and BIMAP Barbados.
Upon arrival at the
island, they were lodged in a home away from home, in an impressive hotel
establishment, with a beautiful ocean view, but even in spite of this scenic
and peaceful learning environment, the trainees were faced with certain
difficulties worthy of note, including the change in cultural setting and
currency transactions, the inimitable language barrier and the food/menu
differences, amongst others.
They however braced up
to these challenges and motivated by the burning zeal in every Nigerian and
most especially Deltans to succeed irrespective of the odds, as encapsulated in
the unshakable slogan Delta nor dey carry last, these challenges were surmounted in no time.
With the initial
existential challenges surmounted, the academic experience posed a new and
different setting; an experience which was very beneficial to the success of
every trainee during the course of the program based on the simplified means in
which knowledge was passed on to the trainees and the ever ready instructors at
the various institutions of learning.
As was to be expected,
this exposure to a new and novel academic setting was to give rise to the
demand for educational aids, which was swiftly and commendably attended to by
the then Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, who approved the
provision of operational tools like Laptops to every trainee in the programme
to further improve the learning process and outcome.
On May 29, 2015, a new
political administration came into power in Delta State, when Senator Ifeanyi
Arthur Okowa was sworn-in as the governor to take over the helm of governance
from Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
And in keeping with standard
expectations usually associated with every other change of government, there
were certain financial obligations ranging from accommodation bills, school
fees to stipends and other upkeep allowances inherited by the new
administration and great kudos and comprehensive commendation and gratitude
must go to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who, as a lover of Education himself, swiftly
responded to the situation and brought succour to the trainees in far away
Trinidad and Tobago and the Barbados.
On November 8, 2015,
the trainees finally landed in Asaba after a successful training cum academic
programme and a journey that has been nothing short of historical, considering
the experiences and interactions, cutting across different ethnic societies,
they have had which in every ramification, are worthy to take back home with
them.
It is important to
also stress at this juncture that that the trainees were selected both on merit
from across the 25 local government areas and also in the recognition of
certain political patronages and promises that transformed into the fulfilment
of political promises made by politicians to their constituents across the 25
local government areas, with the selection of deserving candidates for the
training programme.
Regular reports
received from the well structured monitoring initiative set up for the programme
confirm that as ambassadors from Delta State, the trainees comported themselves
in a manner worthy of emulation and their impressive academic performance at
the end of the programme certainly speaks for itself, as some of them were
given various awards of excellence.
They have done Delta
state proud and despite the fact that they did have ups and downs, what had
been destined to the glory of God Almighty must definitely be and there is
absolutely no doubt that their achievements as trainees in a foreign land will
surely bring pride and glory to the name of Delta state.
Speaking exclusively
in conversations and discussion upon their arrival back home in Asaba, Delta
State, most of the trainees were unanimous in expressing their collective
gratitude to God Almighty for the successful completion of the study without whom
a project of this magnitude would never have been realized.
The trainees and
indeed all those all those involved with the project from inception to
fulfilment also expressed profound gratitude to the Delta State government for
this once in a lifetime chance and for all the expense and sacrifices towards a
better future not just for themselves but for the benefit of their families,
immediate environment, the state and country at large.
“Our hearts go out to
the one with life changing thoughts, with futuristic ideas towards the
betterment of a growing generation, a man of excellent calibre and great deeds
which triumphs among historical achievements; His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Eweta
Uduaghan. Whatever history remembers of you would most definitely include your
commitment to see youths succeed and take the lead as Deltans”, one of the
trainees prayed.
A key member of the
administrative team, Hon. Usimo Bayagbon also spoke in the same vein,
expressing the same sentiments with special salute to the then Delta state
Commissioner for Higher Education at inception of DSYEP 2105 Prof. Hope
Eghagha, whom he described as, “a man of amiable character, uncommon humility,
a leader of men, manager of people, a professor of our time and a man with
unprecedented educational vision”, even as he added that “your dedication to
the success of this endeavour can never be over emphasized. We appreciate you
for the father that you are and we assure you that your effort will not be in
vain”, Bayagbon said.
Bayagbon continued:
“Also, I would love to appreciate the political heavy weight of our time, one
time this and one time that, a man of the people, Hon Charles Emetulu, former
Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, who succeeded Prof. Eghagha at
the helm of affairs at the Ministry, upon his call to greater responsibilities
by the Governor of the state.
“Hon Emetulu, the one
we ‘Yepites’ nicknamed “Talk and do”, your contribution and quick action speaks
volume of your personality. God bless and preserve you. Truth be told, the
trainees were quite sceptical about your intention towards the programme, owing
to the hitches we had but these fear weres allayed in no time at all, by your
fatherly response to our every concern and you showed yourself to be a great
man whose commitment to the development of human capital is second to none”, he
said.
Mr. Bayagbon however
showered the most resounding accolade on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, stressing that
the new Delta State helmsman wasted no time in responding to the needs and
assuaging the fears of the trainees who had felt that they would be stranded
and abandoned in a far away land, with the change of governorship baton in the
state.
To Okowa Bayagbon
said: “We appreciate most profoundly your efforts and commitment to the success
of the programme and while we look forward to the maximum utilization of the
skills garnered by these trainees from the programme, I pray that your reign as
the Governor of Delta State will be richly blessed with peace and prosperity as
your mandate will never fail to fulfil its purpose”, he said.
Others who also came
in for special appreciation include the then Commissioner for Commerce and
Industry and now Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Kingsley Emu, whom the
trainees describe flamboyantly as a charismatic personality, a positive
thinker, a man of his words; the like of which is hard to find, a man of many
ways and well thought out strategies, which will surely benefit the state as a
whole.
They also had kind
words for the team, noting that appreciation would not be complete without
acknowledging the men and women who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of
the program, the staff of the Ministry of Higher Education, the then Special
Assistant to the Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon Usimo Bayagbon (JP) (aka
General Josh rtd), known by all as the people’s General, a gladiator in
strategic coordination, a team player and diligent worker who is highly
motivated and with a burning desire to serve and strong sense of
collective-operation and teamwork.
There is also the
Director of Finance, Mr. Paul Ataine, described as a tactical guru in
accounting, highly organised and methodical, a man with the ability to
highlight values necessary to meet individual, Consultant and Government
obligations; Bradouyai Timipere .V, known as the mama of
‘yepite’ and described glowingly as an enthusiastic and self motivating
personnel who is able to work under pressure and deliver within strict
deadlines; Barrister Obiageli Idaboh, known for her precession, highly
organized and methodical with excellent time management and prioritisation
skill.
Also on the list of
appreciation are Mr. Enwemnwa Chiedu Collins, the Director of Administration in
the Ministry of Higher Education and Miss Onashe Oke P, all of whom the
trainees expressed their warm gratitude to, asserting that only God can richly reward them in a manner that befits their inputs,
efforts and time put towards the success of the programme.
The incumbent
Commissioner of Higher Education, Engr. Jude Sinebe, was also not left out as the trainees and the team commended his
desire to handle the programme at its final stage, especially the committed
efforts he put in to ensure the safe return of the trainees. And while congratulating him on his appointment
as the Speaking on behalf of the original team that initiated the DSYEP
programme, Mr. Bayagbon expressed the gratitude of the former staff of the
Ministry to the present Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Engr
Jude Sinebe and others who ensured the successful completion of the project,
saying “We know that the Ministry of Higher Education, is in worthy hands and
pray that God wisdom will fully direct your decisions.
“We appreciate the
programme consultant, Ms Donna St Hill for her efforts all through the programme,
we can’t thank you enough but your contribution hasn’t gone unnoticed
and we pray that our God will bless and prosper all your future endeavours.
“This appreciation can
never be complete without giving honor to whom it is due, a mother, a
confidant, a woman of virtue and the perfect coordinator always on top of
things even when hope seems too frail and when the future is unclear, you stood
by our student an never wavered in your commitments to their success story, we
attest to the fact that without your motherly presence a lot would have gone
wrong. “Mrs. Ladi Franklin may your light never go out and may God bless you
and perfect all your efforts in Jesus name.
“And also especially
to Honeybell Ogunye of Yone Travels, who handled the transit arrangements and
went to great and extra lengths during the delay period and even made some very
personal financial commitments at a time when bureaucracy appeared to have
stalled certain approvals.
“History would
remember everyone that was involved in one way or the other for this life
changing experiences for our youths, which your efforts have exposed them to.
“Thank you and God
bless Delta State”, he concluded with a huge sigh of relief and satisfaction
for a job well done.
Bayagbon Usimo JP, was
the Special Assistant to erstwhile Delta State Honourable Commissioner for
Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha and was drafted in as Project Co-ordinator
and Strategic Aide to the Project Consultant to facilitate and network the
coordinating process including, visa process, documentation, communication
with the foreign consultant and direct negotiations in fact finding between and
across all the oil companies within Delta and Rivers states.
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