Warri Traditional Office Launches SME Grants, Skills Training for Itsekiri Youths
Warri Traditional Office Launches SME Grants, Skills Training for Itsekiri Youths
Warri Traditional Office Launches SME Grants, Skills Training for Itsekiri Youths
The Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri to NNPC Limited and its Joint Venture partners has announced the launch of two major empowerment initiatives targeted at Itsekiri indigenes.
The programmes—Itsekiri Indigenes SME Grant Programme and the Itsekiri Skills Training Programme—are designed to boost entrepreneurship, enhance technical capacity, and drive sustainable economic development within Itsekiri communities.
According to the Sole Representative, Prince Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, the SME Grant Programme will provide financial support to Itsekiri-owned startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative aims to stimulate local business growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen economic resilience.
In addition, the Skills Training Programme will offer hands-on technical and vocational training through two institutions: El-Totuoma Weld School in Port Harcourt and UNIBEN Consultancy/Petro-Tracking in Benin City.
Training areas include welding, fabrication, boat building, pipeline inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT), natural gas processing, drilling operations, forklift handling, electrical and solar installation, as well as crop production. A total of 660 training slots have been made available across both programmes.
The office emphasized that both initiatives are strictly open to Itsekiri indigenes, urging applicants to carefully review eligibility and selection criteria before applying.
The application window runs from April 10 to April 30, 2026, with interested candidates directed to register and access full details via the official portal.
The initiative is expected to significantly empower local communities by equipping beneficiaries with skills and resources needed for self-reliance and long-term economic growth.
Warri Traditional Office Launches SME Grants, Skills Training for Itsekiri Youths
