In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where pipeline vandalization has become a recurring menace, Africa’s Hub for Skills and Enterprise Development (AHSED) has launched an initiative to empower youths and secure the nation’s oil infrastructure.
Project SSE, “Secure the Pipeline, Secure the Future, Establish the Future,” aims to equip young people with digital skills and entrepreneurship training, providing them with a viable alternative to pipeline vandalism.
During the project’s unveiling, the Co-founder; Barry Chukwuemeke Wonder, said that recently, the AHSED team conducted a campaign in Ogbijo, a major community in Delta State, where pipeline vandalisation has had devastating effects on the environment and economy. The team reached out to close to a thousand youths and community members, sensitising them on the dangers of pipeline vandalisation and offering digital skills and entrepreneurship as a pathway to a brighter future.
According to her, the project, which is a nationwide initiative, will spread across different cities and communities, targeting major oil-driven areas.
AHSED plans to provide digital skills training to youths in these communities, empowering them to become self-reliant and contribute positively to the nation’s economy.
“We believe that a skilled youth is an asset to the nation. By equipping young people with viable skills, we can secure tomorrow’s future and prevent the wanton destruction of our nation’s most valuable resources,” Wonder said.
Project SSE is not just an initiative; it’s a movement to create a better future for Nigeria’s youths and the nation as a whole, Wonder said.
As the project kicks off in Ogbijo, AHSED is poised to impact the lives of thousands of youths, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s digital economy.
She concluded, “With this initiative, we are confident that we can reduce pipeline vandalisation, promote economic growth, and empower a new generation of young Nigerians to become leaders and change-makers in their communities.”
