The poverty alleviation programme of Delta Government on Thursday received a boost with the graduation of 90 indigenes trained in the production of native attire popularly known as “Akwa-Ocha’’.
Speaking at the ceremony, the state Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said that the training had exposed participants to the entire processes involved in the production of the “Akwa-Ocha’’ fabrics.
Egwuyenga said that the vision of the state government was to raise the next generation of Delta youths that would sustain the creativity and production of ‘the fabric.’
The commissioner said that it would also expand opportunities for them to excel in the vast textile industry in the country.
Egwuyenga said he was delighted and confident that the training had provided useful platform to the beneficiaries.
“This is to gain not just hands-on-skill, but completely new insights that will strengthen their resolve to succeed in the textile industry,” he said.
The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the startup packs given to them by the state government.
“I urge you all to be creative, resourceful and innovative because that is your sure bet,” he said.
Egwuyenga expressed appreciation to the state governor for his immense support which, according him, had brought the laudable initiative to fruition.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said that the training and provision of starter-packs by the state government was part of the deliberate measures to diversify the state’s economy in Delta Beyond Oil drive.
Aniagwu said that clothing, being a necessity, was one of the ways to create jobs for the unemployed youths in the state.
Also, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Chika Ossai, charged beneficiaries of the programme to allow their skills to distinguish them in the fashion and design as well as the textile industry.
Ossai lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his youths-friendly policies and programmes.
He called on youths in the state to leverage on the wealth creation and employment generation programmes of the state government to empower themselves economically.
Earlier in a lecture, the training consultant for the programme, Mrs Oreva Okowa, urged the beneficiaries to put the knowledge they acquired to maximal use, noting that fashion and design industry need high level of creative ingenuity.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Nancy Nelly, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked Okowa for the training and provision of starter-packs.
She pledged that they would leverage on the opportunity provided by the state government to be economically independent.