The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has dismissed a list that is being circulated on social media platforms of successful beneficiaries of it’s Youth Internship Scheme.
The Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in a statement on Tuesday, said the purported list of the beneficiaries did not emanate from the commission but mischievous elements.
The statement said those behind it are only trying to defraud unsuspecting members of the public and urged those who registered for the scheme not to pay money to anyone as the commission will never ask for any fee.
"The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been drawn to certain lists circulating in the social media, purportedly representing selected beneficiaries of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme.
"The fraudsters spreading false information about the youth internship scheme are also demanding personal information and payment of an acceptance fee.
"Please note that the NDDC does not require any fees or payments for the placement of qualified youths in its internship programme.
"We wish to clarify that no such list has been collated, approved, or released, and any claim to the contrary is false. Those who registered for the scheme should note that the process of selection is ongoing."
The statement said the final list is being collated, and only those who registered during the period of registration will be considered, and the names of successful beneficiaries will be published.
"The final list of beneficiaries will be drawn from the NDDC’s official database and only those that were duly registered between August 5, 2024, when the registration was formally launched and August 31, 2024, when it closed, will be considered.
We advise members of the public, especially our youths who are eagerly waiting for the completion of the selection process, to ignore any unauthorised list and seek information only from the NDDC official channels.
"We assure all our stakeholders that we remain committed to transparency and fairness in all our activities, including our youth empowerment programmes.
"It is indeed disconcerting that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are seeking ways of being gainfully engaged in legitimate activities. In the light of this unfortunate development, we urge our youths to be wary of these scammers.
"For inquiries about our empowerment programmes, please contact us directly through our official channels.
"We also encourage beneficiaries of our programmes to verify facts on the NDDC's official website: [www.nddc.gov.ng] and social media handles," it said.
