National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
…As Ewheudjakpo Tasks Board, Youths On Stakeholders Engagement, Oil Industry’s Opportunities
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Engr Felix Omatsola-Ogbe, has reeled out initiatives evolved by the Board in its contribution towards capacity building for youths across the country.
The NCDMB Scribe mentioned this on Tuesday at the 2024 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Youth Forum which held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Tagged, “empowering the future: unlocking the opportunities in the Niger Delta oil and gas sector”, National Wire reports that the event featured three thematic lecture series delivered by the founder and leader of the Niger Delta peace coalition (NDPC), Mr Zik Gbemre, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha and the Chief Executive Officer, PE Energy ltd, Mr Daere Akabo.
Represented by the Manager, Capacity Building of the Board, Mr Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe noted that the NCDMB has recently partnered the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas(NLNG) to commence the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development(NC-HCD) in the oil and gas sector for the training of 331 young graduates.
He said: “As you already know, the NCDMB was established by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.
“Our mandate is to develop human capabilities and material capacities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and to monitor and enforce compliance with the provisions of the act”.
He also added: “The theme for this year’s youth event is ‘Empowering the future: Unlocking the opportunities in the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Sector. This theme speaks to our determination and ongoing efforts to introduce youths from the Niger Delta to opportunities that abound in the oil and gas industry.
“Few weeks ago we partnered the NLNG to kick start the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) basic training programme for a total of 331 young graduates. The training covers ICT, Engineering, Welding and Fabrication, Non-destructive Testing (NDT), Lifting and working at Height, Quality Management Systems, Marine and offshore services and Facility Management and Maintenance.
Furthermore the ES said: “We also organised training for youths with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), WalterSmith Petroleum and other organizations. And as part of the NCDMB’s initiatives in the Niger Delta, we’ve developed two oil and gas parks at Emeyal one in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Odukpani in Cross River State”.
Declaring the even open, Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo urged the NCDMB to engage grassroots stakeholders by incorporating diverse perspectives towards ensuring that their strategies were inclusive and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.
The Acting State Chief Executive who spoke on the theme, “Deepening The Next Frontier For Nigerian Content Implementation’, urged participants to move beyond dialogue to implementation with a view to ensuring that the outcomes of the conference drive real and meaningful change.
He said: “Leveraging technology and empowering local talent will create a vibrant ecosystem that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
“I want to commend the NCDMB for their leadership and commitment to advancing Nigerian content that had established a framework for excellence and innovation.
“Let us focus on building resilient and sustainable frameworks that enable communities to actively participate in emerging sectors, particularly the digital economy. This will ensure shared prosperity and a future where no one is left behind”, the Ag. Governor said.
In same vein, represented by the state Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, at the Youth forum segment of the 2024 PNC, Acting Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has again charged youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the NCDMB.
He noted that the Board from information at his disposal was opened to partnering in funding projects for interested parties in the oil and gas industry who lack adequate capital for the execution of their projects.
