As a way of finding a lasting solution to the incessant cases of youth restiveness and militancy in the constantly troubled Niger Delta region, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has announced the offer of sponsorships to youths from the state to the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) coming to Nigeria in February.
Also, as part of his organisation's empowerment and economic rejuvenation agenda for young people of the Niger Delta region, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chibuzor Ugwoha, has endorsed and supported award of scholarship to 370 youths from the region.
The 370 lucky candidates drawn from all the South South states are to be trained by the world's leading film school, the prestigious NYFA, who interestingly, will be making a landmark visit to Nigeria in February 2010, for an intensive training programme, holding in the cities of Abuja and Lagos.
The academy's historic training visit to Nigeria will be its first to Africa, organised and powered by Del-York International, a Nigerian-based advocacy and capacity-building company, the coming visit promises to be memorable and all encompassing.
Elaborating on the visit as well as the training for the lucky candidates, Linus Idahosa, the MD/CEO, Del-York International, explained that the Rivers State/NDDC sponsored initiative was a special privilege for youths of Niger Delta to immediately join the growing number of registered candidates sponsored by other institutions and states across the country. He said that it would also help them acquire practical and competitive skills on various aspects of filmmaking and digital communications from world-class masters.
"The course will include hands-on training with cutting edge filmmaking equipment that will be flown in from the U.S. For the Amaechi-led administration, the training forms part of its commitment to curbing the menace of unemployment by empowering young people with functional skills that will make them economically self-reliant and able to contribute to the developmental aspirations of the region," Idahosa said.
"This is a result-oriented programme that will identify raw talents as well as hone the skills of professionals in the industry. Following the training, an international standard movie will be produced involving candidates from the programme."
Meanwhile, top actress Stephanie Okereke, who is also an executive director with Del-York International, has urged all those interested in applying for the programme to visit any Zenith Bank branch and pick-up their registration forms.
"Completed forms should be submitted to the same branch not later than February 18. This is a once in a life-time opportunity with limited spaces, thus early registration is recommended," she said.
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