NEPC partners NGO to sensitise Imo youths on non-oil exports
By Saby Elemba
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has continued its advocacy aimed at enlightening citizens on the various exportable non-oil products.
In line with this push, the Council recently held a sensitisation workshop at the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Secretariat in Imo State, in partnership with NobleGoal Community Development Initiative (NCDI), a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Speaking during the sensitisation workshop, Anthony Ajuruchi, NEPC trade promotion advisor, Owerri Smart Office, described Imo youths as passionate, resourceful and full of energy capable of transforming the economy of Imo State and Nigeria at large.
Ajuruchi, who spoke on the theme “Mainstreaming the Activities of Youths into Non-oil Export Business”, advised Imo youths to see export business as means of survival and livelihood because white-collar jobs are hard to secure and revenue from crude oil is fast diminishing.
“It will be desirable to see our youths taking the lead in non-oil exports business in the nearest future. With the establishment of export trade houses in some parts of the world including Egypt, Togo and Kenya by the Nigerian government, the volume and value of Nigerian exports are expected to grow,” said Ajuruchi, represented by Ezra Yakusak, an executive director of the NEPC.
“Considering the robust energy in our youths, the nation depends on you to achieve this objective. Don’t fail to think exports now, the survival of this country rests on the strength of non-oil exports,” he said.
He commended NobleGoal Community Development Initiative (NCDI) for its effective collaboration with the NEPC, a collaboration which, he said, has already begun to yield the desired results.
He furthermore commended the effort of the leadership of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area and the Imo State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for mobilising the youths for the workshop.
Princewill Duru, director-general of NCDI, said the workshop was aimed at training and equipping the youths with knowledge of the production, packaging and exportation of non-oil export products.
He expressed the organisation’s willingness to partner with community leaders and other organisations to subsidise the training of youths in any area of interest.
The workshop, which was attended by over 200 youths from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area and its environs, was declared open by Tony Anakani, sole administrator of Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, who was represented by Christian A. Iwuanyanwu, director of administration and general services (DAGS).