BY OGENENYERHOVWO TEJIRI

Management of Global Maritime Academy, Ogoni-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area has commended the management of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) for initiating a six month skills acquisition programme for 240 youths selected from the OML30 communities in Delta State .

Global Maritime Academy, Ogoni-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

The Commendation was given by Engr. Isaac A. Aikoroje, Rector, Global Maritime Academy, the Institute saddled with the responsibility of training the youths during the flag-off of the training programme at Campus of the Institute in Ogoni-olomu, he said that decision taken by community leaders to choose training and subsequent empowerment of their selected youths is a welcome development which no doubt would have positive spiraling effect on the communities and state.

While charging the beneficiaries of the training programme to appreciate the rare opportunity  of empowerment to key into it, Engr. Aikoroje disclosed  that the Institute of Shipping and Management Technology had made adequate arrangements to ensure that the.participants enjoy their stay while the programme lasts, he also assured them and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company(NPDC) that the Institute would deliver on schedule.

Speaking on the conduct of participants during their stay in the Institute, the Rector said that participants must obey the Institute’s rules and regulations, imbibe healthy living, show respect and be humble to instructors, adding, “as an Institute, we have rules and regulations in place and beneficiaries of this programme must obey them. We have also put complaints box in place to get feedbacks from you to enable us serve you better. Canteens have been provided and participants are not expected to cook in here and damage to facilities would not be tolerated as we shall demand for replacement of any damaged facility.”

Speaking further, Engr. Aikoroje disclosed that in order to reward hard work and diligent participants, management has put in place various categories of awards namely overall best creative trainee, overall best participant for each of the programme, best group leader and most disciplined trainee for male and female that would encourage them to strive for excellence that the Institute is known for.

In his speech, Engr. Morris Idiovwa, chairman, OML 30 Communities Development Board expressed appreciation to NPDC and Joint Venture Partners, Shoreline for the programme aimed at empowering youths drawn from their host communities of Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko, he also commended the company for their open line of communication and support to the Board.

While enjoining participants to be committed to their training, Engr..Idiovwa called on them to be of good conduct and good ambassadors of.their various communities.

According to Engr. Idiovwa, “above all, be peace ambassadors in your various communities as it is only an atmosphere of peace that business can thrive to bring necessary dividends such as the one that brought us here today. Let us all strive to make our communities a safe haven.for NPDC and her Joint Ventures Partners to operate.”

Also speaking, Chief Duke Ohwo, Senior Special Assistant, Community Relations Department, NPDC said that the company embarked of the training for the selected youths from the communities to build capacity and empower them as well as elevate them from being unemployed to become self employed who will in no distant time as their businesses grow, would be creating employment for others to help drive and grow the economies of their areas, adding, “the era of.flocking round flow stations to beg are over.”

In his goodwill message, HRM Ovie Richard L. Ogbon JP. Ogoni-Oghoro 1, The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom and Grand Patron, Global Maritime Academy represented by Chief Barr. Amos Oyoroko enjoined participants to take advantage of the programme to become useful, not only to themselve but als to the society at large.

Participants that will be trained in Computer studies, Welding and Fabrication and Automobile Engineering among others will each be paid a monthly stipend of twenty-five thousand naira (N25,000.00) and at their graduation in six months time would each be provided with starter packs to start their businesses.