Asaba — A two-day training workshop aimed at building stronger skills for people helping vulnerable communities kicked off today in Asaba, Delta State. The program, titled “Management of Sustainable Development Programs for Resilience,” is part of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) initiative.
The training, held on July 21 and 22, is organized by the State CARES Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Economic Planning, in collaboration with BT&C Services Limited. Participants include members from all the delivery teams working under the NG-CARES and Delta CARES programs.
Why the Training Matters
Speaking during the opening session, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, State Coordinator of D-CARES, welcomed participants warmly and explained the importance of the training.
“This is not just another workshop. It’s a smart investment in the people who help deliver vital support to the poor and vulnerable in Delta State,” she said.
She reminded everyone that the NG-CARES 2.0 phase is starting soon, and to continue participating, all staff must be trained and ready to manage and deliver results effectively.
“NG-CARES 1.0 focused on helping people bounce back after COVID-19. Now, 2.0 will help both the government and beneficiaries stay strong even when tough times come,” she added.
Participants will learn about:
- Project Management
- Leadership Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Time and Personal Management
- Working Effectively with Others
- How to Make Smart Decisions
The goal is to make sure they’re well-prepared to support their communities better than ever before.
Encouragement from Government Leaders
Giving a goodwill message, Hon. Orode Uduaghan, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Girl Child Development (represented by Mr. Wilson Chukwuka), said training like this is what helped he succeed in earlier programs like SEEFOR.
“I’m happy to see smiling faces here today. This training will help us serve better,” he said.
Also speaking was Dr. Godwin Adolor, head of the Delta State Medium and Small Micro Enterprises Development Agency. He praised the training topics and urged participants to take action after learning.
“Learning is easy for us Nigerians. The challenge is doing what we learn. Let’s not just learn — let’s do,” he said.
A Shift in Mindset: Beneficiaries Are Now “Customers”
The Commissioner for Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekadayen, officially opened the training. He introduced a new way of thinking about the people these programs serve.
“From today, they’re not just beneficiaries. They’re our customers. And we must treat them with dignity and respect,” he said.
He explained that the training topics were carefully chosen to help staff relate better with people, solve problems quickly, and communicate effectively. He stressed that the way government staff treat people shapes how citizens view the government.
“You are our frontline soldiers. The Governor can’t be everywhere, so you represent this administration,” he told the participants.
He also introduced Mr. Andy Erabor, the lead consultant for the training and a former general manager at Coca-Cola, saying he brings a lot of knowledge and real-world experience to the program.
“I officially declare this training open. Let’s make the most of it,” the commissioner concluded.
