The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has emphasised the importance of youth engagement in the development of the Niger Delta region.
This is as the commission rewarded the winner of the 2022 Niger Delta Talent Hunt (NIDETH) with a new car and a performance trip to Dubai.
Speaking at the finals of the talent hunt programme held in Port Harcourt, the NDDC interim administrator, Dr Effiong Akwa, said it was designed to harness the talents of young people in the region and expose them to opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Akwa, who was represented by his special adviser on technical matters, Engr. Ubongabasi James, said the programme gave the youths an opportunity to showcase their talents.
The NDDC boss commended the efforts of the NIDETH organising team led by musician and songwriter, Harrison Tare Okiri, known as Harrysong, for putting up a spectacular event.
In his welcome address, the NDDC director youth and sports, Mr. Offiong Ephraim, said the commission placed a lot of premium on regular engagements with youths of the Niger Delta region.
Ephraim said: “The Niger Delta Talent Hunt is a youth development programme aimed at harnessing the entertainment potentials of the Niger Delta youths. Talented youths from the nine Niger Delta States participated in the preliminary stages which took place in Edo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.”
He stated that NIDETH was envisioned to discover and develop the inherent talents of the Niger Delta youths, adding: “The project aims at building the capacity of the Niger Delta youths for wealth creation through entertainment. The 10 finalists have demonstrated world class talents.”
The competition was won by Elvis Lunar, a singer from Rivers State, while Miss Honest Amasomawei, a comedian, took the second position and Miss Precious Ogiesoba, another singer, came third.
The runner up went home with N2 million prize while the second runner up went home with N1 million.
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