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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Nigerian Youths, especially those in the Niger Delta Region, have been asked to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that are abound in the Oil and Gas industry to become self reliant.
The youths were given this advice during the Practical Nigerian Content Forum (PNC) 2024 Youth Forum at the Harold Dappa Biriye Hall, government House Annex in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.
This year’s theme: ‘Empowering The Future: Unlocking The Opportunities In The Niger Delta Oil and Gas Sector,’ was the 13th edition of Practical Nigerian Content Forum.
Addressing the youths, Executive Secretary of Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Felix Ogbe who was represented by the General Manager Capacity Building NCDMB, Barr. Segun Olugbenga said, the idea of the forum was to mentor youths to make use of the opportunities that abound in the oil and gas industry.
Engr. Ogbe said, “our mandate is to develop human capacity and materials capabilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry. This year theme speaks of our determination and to introduce the youth of the Niger Delta to the opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
“Just few weeks ago, we partnered with the LNG to put the Nigerian Content capacity development basic training programme for a total of 331 young graduate, this was successfully carried out by the board.
“The training is in engineering, welding and fabrication, marine services, quality management system among others. We are also organizing training for youth with the industrial training fund”.
In his remark, the governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri who was represented by the commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha expressed belief that what will come out from the conversation will open up Opportunities In the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board.
Delivering the first lecture titled, Sustainable Peace in the Niger Delta And The Development of Nigeria, Zik Gbemre , an advocate on social justice and campaign for good governance, said it’s only good governance that can quanrantee peace and sustainable development.
He said one of the determinant of peace is for government to be responsive to the needs of the people, adding that government must also provide good infrastructures like roads, hospitals, food security and others.
“Government must be able to quarantee human right, election and selection must be free and Fair between the government and the governed. The poor must be able to afford the basic needs of life.”Instead of development, what we have in the region is the reverse, insecurity, Mass poverty, underdevelopment and corruption, environmental degradation, hunger and lack of opportunity for self development. The larger government does not give us what is commensurate with what we are contributing to the national economy.
He said, we cannot talk about peace without justice, they need to build an engagement system for government and it’s agencies to begin to interact with the people at the community level.
The second lecture which was presented by the commissioner for Youth Development in bayelsa, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha said, the people lack access to information and that is why they cannot take full advantage of the local content.
Kemepado who spoke on the topic, Skills Development And Capacity Building For Young Professionals, believed that the youth needs to participate in the marine industry that has so much opportunities.
He described the youth as the future of local content in Nigeria, adding that the system need to equip young people with alternative skills. “More investment in skill training, education and vocational training. Foster private and public partnership”.
While the third lecture was delivered by Mr. Daere Akobo on the topic, ‘Entrepreneurial Opportunities For Youths In The Niger Delta,’ said discipline is what we make a good entrepreneur to succeed.
Mr. Akobo who was represented by Mr. Chukwuemeka, advised the youth to discipline themselves in other to pursue their dreams. “Control your mind and your body will follow. Their is risk and uncertainty in entrepreneurship. But you must define your purpose,” he said
