…… Says its committed to building strong long-term relationship

By Francis Sadhere, Warri

The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Thursday handed over starter packs to forty women drawn from its host communities in Asset Management North, covering Kogi and Edo States.

The NGC presented the starter packs to the participants of it’s Women Empowerment Programme, at a handover ceremony held at Top Rank Hotel Galaxy, Abuja.

The women who were trained in 2016 but were not given their starter packs due to some unforseen circumstances, were trained in makeup artistry, fashion and design, computer, catering and hair dressing.

In his address, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company, said the NGC organized the empowerment workshop for for its host communities to empower women so that they can contribute positively to their families, communities, state and nation at large.

Engr. Omotowa who was represented by the Executive Director, Support Services NGC, Mrs Uche Ossai, said NGC, as a responsible and responsive organization, were committed to building a strong and long-term relationship with its host communities.

“Our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative prioritizes their (host communities) well-being, and it is for this reason we have gathered here today.

“It can be recalled by Participants here that an empowerment workshop was organized in 2016, where you were all in attendance and trained in different vocations such as fashion and design, computer, catering, hair dressing and makeup artistry.

“A total of 40 Women between the age bracket of 20-40 years were selected from the communities by their community leaders and trained.

“The delivery of these starter packs to you today demonstrates NGC’s dedication to delivering on its promises, notwithstanding the time lag caused by budgetary restrictions and internal restructuring. I implore you to make the best possible use of the materials provided to you today to financially empower yourself,” Engr. Omotowa stated.

Engr. Omotowa added that, “On our part as a Company, we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace in order to support our business growth aspirations for the benefit of our people in this community and Nigerians generally.”

He appreciated the traditional rulers, Community leadership and the participants for their patience and understanding, stressing that it has further strengthened the existing cordial relationship with NGC and its host communities.

“On our part as a Company, we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace in order to support our business growth aspirations for the benefit of our people in this community and Nigerians generally,” Engr. Omotowa stressed.

Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, who was represented by Mrs. Helen Nkwo, Deputy Manager, Community Impact Investment, NNPC, appreciated NGC for her outstanding disposition in meeting the commitments with host communities urging the company to sustain the tempo.

She charged traditional rulers and community leaders to uphold the prevailing peace in their various domains, just as she admonished the beneficiaries to maximally put the starter packs to judicious use.

The traditional ruler of Ugbekpe-Ekperi in Edo State who was represented by Idaewor Simeon, commended NGC for fulfilling its promises to the people of its host communities.

His Royal Highness (Dr) Frederick Balogun, the Olu-Apata of Apata in Lokoja, Kogi State, also appreciated NGC for the handover of the starter packs to the beneficiaries.

Anakwu Aminatu from Ugbeke-Ekperi Community, Edo State who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked NGC for fulfilling its promises by providing them with the starter packs. She promised that they will put the starter packs handed over to them into good use.