The second series of the One Day NCDMB Youth Sensitization and Enlightenment Workshop pitched at the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State. The workshop which was its maiden edition in the area held at the Godswill Akpabio Multipurpose Hall, Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area. The Enlightenment program had in attendance participants drawn from ten local government areas within the senatorial district.
Delivering a keynote address, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Patrick Daziba Obah who was represented by the General Manager, Zonal Coordination & Board’s Projects, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah commended participants at the workshop for their orderliness despite being the first engagement of the Board in the area.
Mr. Obah indicated that the objective of the workshop was to enlighten young Nigerians on how to actively get involved in the oil and gas industry through human capacity development with goals and visions of empowering the youths of Nigeria through the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development, (NOGICD) (2010) Act.
The Acting Executive Secretary reiterated that under the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development Framework, thousands of young Nigerians have been trained and attached to various projects in the oil and gas sector to gain requisite industry experience and ultimately permanent employment.
The theme of the workshop which is “Relevant Skills in Oil and Gas Industry and how to acquire them”, was underpinned by the Acting Chief Executive as a catalyst to highlight opportunities and specific training required to boost employability and self-reliance of youths in oil bearing communities. He lauded participants and urged them to utilize local human and material resources in the operations of the industry.
Fielding questions from participants during the workshop, the General Manager, Zonal Coordination & Board’s Projects, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah gave insight into the Nigerian Content policy which is about domiciliation of work and development of local capacity with associated benefits. Speaking further, he charged participants to avail themselves of the Board’s NOGICJQS database and upload their bio data onto the portal in line with the Human Capacity Development Initiative.
In a vote of thanks, the Zonal Coordinator, Akwa Ibom/Cross River Zone, Mr. Uduak Obot hinted that subsequent editions of the programme will be held at Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts having ten and eleven local government areas respectively. Mr. Obot encouraged participants to take a step ahead by knowing what is required of them if they are to properly function in oil and gas operations in their communities.
He, however, thanked participants for their good conduct throughout the event.
