PREAMBLE
The Niger Delta University (NDU), a Bayelsa State Government-owned higher education institution, was established by a Law of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in April 2000 as a “centre of excellence directed towards the design of well-articulated academic programmes that will produce creative and innovative human resources” for the Nigerian economy.
The objectives of the University are clearly stated in Section 3 of the Law establishing the institution especially Sub-section 3a, b, d, e & f and the powers of the University and the exercise of those powers entrenched in Section 5, Sub-section 1a, e, g, k, l, m, n & o permit the University to establish centres for training of manpower for all levels of the economy. Please, refer to Appendix A for the Sections of the Law establishing Niger Delta University where this mandate is clearly spelt out. The Niger Delta University was also approved as a reputable teaching and research institution by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop manpower resources for the Nigerian economy in 2001.
In fulfillment of our objectives to train adequate manpower as provided in the above-mentioned sections of the Law, the University in 2010 established a multi-billion naira Entrepreneurship Development Centre as a Unit in its Directorate of Consultancy Entrepreneurship, Research and Development (DOCERAD) with the sole purpose of imparting technical, vocational and entrepreneurship knowledge and skills to persons who will practice their trade at both the low and middle manpower levels of the Nigerian economy. The Entrepreneurship Development Center of Niger Delta University is therefore a reputable and competent training and skills development hub that sets out to fulfill the above mandate. We also partner and collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations in both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy to develop the local content through various skills acquisition programmes specially designed for people of all ages and especially youths and women.
PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
The Entrepreneurship Development Center is currently partnering with three training vendors namely Inventus Hub Ltd, Hallmark Global Petroleum Ltd and Roahop ITP Ltd contracted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to train a total of 60 persons in Carpentry and Woodwork, Welding and Metal Fabrication, Formwork and Scaffolding, Masonry and Blocklaying, Floor and Wall Tiling, Painting and Interior Decoration, Electrical Installation Works and Plumbing and Pipe Fitting trades. We are also partnering with Uniworld Professional Training Academy, New York, USA, a training outfit of United Compliance and Risk Management Consult Ltd and the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP), USA to train persons for the Advance Diploma in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation programme of the University. Furthermore, we are in partnership with Merikel Energy & Maritime Engineering Technology (MEMET), Abuja, contracted by Petroleum Trust Development Fund to train persons in Power System Engineering Technology and Occupational Safety and Health Technology.
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
Apart from training services, we are also engaged in production of various consumer goods for the economy in our well-equipped technical, vocational workshops and factories. We specialize in the production of double bunk beds (iron, steel and wooden frames), burglary proofs, fish drying kilns, aluminum and iron windows and doors, household and office furniture, woodworking, machine tool fabrication, apparels such as coveralls, laboratory coats, uniform for school children and other professions, reflective jackets, academic gowns, various civil works. We also engage in the repair, service, panel-beating and spray-painting of automobiles such as Toyota, Nissan, Lexus and Hyundai vehicles of all types in our well-equipped Automobile Workshop. Our Catering and Hospitality outfit engages in bread production and other catering services (in-door and out-door) as well as Event planning.
Our Water and Pharmaceutical factories produce bottle and sachet water as well as liquid soap, disinfectants and bleach in various sized packs. The Water Factory uses reverse osmosis filtration technique to produce portable drinking water of the highest hygienic standard. All our products have been designed and developed by the Professors and Technologists in Niger Delta University. Furthermore, we engage in Civil Engineering Consultancy Services for the construction industry.
