Another 150 youths from the Niger Delta are to benefit from the 2015 LiveWIRE programme of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) operated Joint Venture, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 6,000 since the launch of the programme in 2003. LiveWIRE is a flagship youth enterprise development programme which provides access to training, business development services and start-up capital.

“LiveWIRE presents a good opportunity for bright young people to bring their ideas to fruition,” said SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli. “We are pleased to see the youths transform to employers of labour after going through intensive business training that is reinforced with theoretical and practical sessions.”

The two-week training slated for later in September will be held for the selected youths in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states. Media Relations Manager of Shell, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said today in a statement that the programme is open to university and polytechnic graduates with innovative business ideas from the three states.

The curriculum includes Business Planning and Management and post start-up Mentoring, incubation and market linkages. Successful candidates will be linked to third parties such as NGOs, banks, and allied financial institutions and provided a volunteer mentoring programme.

In 2014, the LiveWIRE scheme was broadened to include a specific focus on people with physical impairments. Some 180 disabled people had already benefited from training and grants by the end of the year. Shell Companies in Nigeria work with government, communities and civil society to implement programmes that have a lasting impact on lives in the Niger Delta and beyond. Social investment activities are focused in particular on community and enterprise development, education and health.

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