The Bayelsa State Government is set to commence the selection of beneficiaries for the fourth phase of the Governor Douye Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme, following the conclusion of form distribution which attracted over 32,000 applicants across the eight local government areas of the state.
The government confirmed that the application phase has officially ended, paving the way for the screening and selection process to commence in the coming days. The exercise recorded widespread participation, with figures showing strong interest from youths and residents seeking to acquire practical and digital skills.
Speaking on the development, the Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs Charity Kens Godwin, said the distribution process was successfully carried out across all LGAs with the support of local leaders and stakeholders. According to her, “the process was carefully monitored to ensure that forms reached the intended beneficiaries in all eight local government areas.”
Data from the exercise shows that Nembe LGA recorded the highest number of applicants with 6,500, followed by Yenagoa with 6,200, while Southern Ijaw had 5,650 applicants. Sagbama recorded 5,350, Brass had 4,180, Kolokuma/Opokuma 4,150, Ekeremor 3,220, and Ogbia recorded 3,100 applicants.
Mrs Godwin noted that the programme, now in its fourth phase, is designed to equip selected beneficiaries with skills in 24 different areas, ranging from digital fields such as web design, app development, animation, and digital marketing, to vocational trades like fashion design, welding, catering, and solar installation.
She stated, “this initiative is focused on empowering Bayelsans with relevant and practical skills that will make them self-reliant and economically productive.”
Following the selection process, successful candidates will undergo a two-month intensive training scheduled to begin in May 2026 at designated centres across the local government headquarters.
Mrs Godwin also commended Governor Douye Diri for sustaining the programme, describing it as a strategic effort to tackle unemployment and promote entrepreneurship in the state. She added that political leaders and community stakeholders played a key role in ensuring the smooth distribution of forms across all participating LGAs.
