The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr Felix Ogbe, has outlined initiatives carried out by the Board in its contribution towards youth capacity development.
According to him, part of the Board’s mandate is to enhance human capital development in the oil and gas sector.
Ogbe made the statement on Tuesday at this year’s Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) 2024 Youth Forum held at the Harold Dappa Biriye Hall in Government House Annex, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Our correspondent reports that the event was tagged “empowering the future: unlocking the opportunities in the Niger Delta oil and gas sector.”
Ogbe who was represented by Barr. Olugbenga Sheba, NCDMB’s General Manager in charge of Capacity Building, hinted that “just some few weeks ago, we partnered with the Nigerian NLNG to start the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development. A training programme for 331 young graduates.
“The training covers ICT, welding and fabrication, lifting and working at height, quality management system, marine and offshore facility management and maintenance.
“We also organised training for youths with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and other organizations.”
The NCDMB helmsman also stressed that, as part of the Board’s initiatives in the Niger Delta, it has developed two oil and gas parks at Emeyal one in Ogbia Local Government Area and Odukpani in Cross River State.
“We are proud of the growth we have recorded in local content development in the last fourteen years,” he said.
In his welcome address at the event, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State commended the NCDMB for its efforts in repositioning the oil and gas industry.
Diri who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, charged youths in the state to “take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Board.”
One Of the facilitators of the event, Mr. Ziki Gbemre, an advocate on social justice and campaign for good governance commended youths in the Niger Delta for sustaining the existing peace in the region.
Speaking to our correspondent shortly after the event, a youth leader, Comr. Ayebatonbara Telimoye Stephen-Gow, commended NCDMB for the programme which he admitted was attended by youths from various local governments in the state.
“Every message delivered today came with impact. From the first speaker to the third speaker, they were all words filled with impact and development in pushing the youths in terms of intellectual progress,” he remarked.
