EDO STATE PLAYS HOST TO SENSITIZATION & ENLIGHTENMENT WORKSHOP

The second series of the NCDMB Sensitization and Enlightenment Workshop recently berthed at Benin, the Edo State capital with a catchment of participants drawn from Edo South Senatorial District in attendance. The event which was held in Oredo Local Government Area was the first-of-its-kind in the state.

Addressing participants at the workshop, the Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Patrick Daziba Obah represented by the GM, Zonal Coordination and Board’s Projects, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah said that the main objective of the workshop is to enlighten the people on how they can effectively participate in the oil and gas industry in their domain and in Nigeria at large in line with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development, NOGICD (2010) Act.

The Acting Executive Secretary also stressed that experienced resource persons were carefully chosen to deliver relevant topics in order to enhance the understanding of participants to engage in oil and gas operations with a view to reducing unemployment and joblessness. He reiterated that the workshop is interactive with a Q&A session at the end of every presentation.

Mr. Obah further hinted that the Q&A session is essential to answer specific questions and erase any doubts concerning the oil and gas activities in participants’ communities and Nigeria, in general.

In a keynote address, the GM, Zonal Coordination and Board’s Projects, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah intimated participants that the workshop will hold in the two other senatorial districts of the state and enjoined the audience to repose great confidence in the NOGICD (2010) Act for the realization of indigenous capacity development.

Dr. Ginah encouraged Youth Groups in the area to engage the Board developmentally rather than indulge in vices inimical to their growth as post-benefits of the workshop include training, employment and entrepreneurship. He reminded participants that the Board seeks more engagements with people of the area as the Nigerian Content Law encourages Nigerians particularly from oil and gas producing communities to collaborate with foreign partners with relevant expertise and to have a Memorandum of Association with such firms to authenticate their partnership.

The workshop attracted various youth groups and dignitaries among whom were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum Monitoring, Hon. Houdu Aledeh; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Arewa Matters, Alhaji Zakari Alasa as well as royal fathers who included Chief Obadiaru Nosakhare, the Obadiaru of Benin Kingdom; Chief Iyamu Obaze, the Ohen-Okhuan of Ebue community, Uhumwunade Local Government Area and Chief Amadin Egharevba, the Ohen-Oto of Etete community, Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area.

Other stakeholder present at the workshop was the President, Niger Delta Coalition of Coastal Communities, Mr. Don Ben of Gelegele community in Edo State. In a vote of thanks, the community leader commended the Board for the capacity development initiative and prayed that youths properly trained should be adequately integrated into the oil and gas industry to avert restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

The event was rounded off with a symbolic presentation of a souvenir by a representation of the Youths in Edo State to the Board in appreciation of hosting the program in the area.