Tejiri Ebikeme
Over 100 women and youths in Anambra State were recently presented with “starter packs/kits” to enable them start income yielding businesses after an intensive 11 days skill acquisition training programme sponsored by Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Ltd, a Chevron Company in collaboration with its partners in the OML 140 block.
The partners are Nigeria Natural Gas Limited (ONG), Sasol Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (SASOL) and Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNPC).
The occasion which took place at the Women Development Centre, Awka recently was to mark the closing ceremony for women empowerment workshop after a rigorous two weeks training organized by the Ultra Deep Petroleum in partnership with the Development Support Institute (DSI) and Anambra State government.
The beneficiaries received training on various skills, including confectionary, soap making, cosmetics, leather works, hair dressing, jewelries etc, and later provided with working equipment of various types.
Speaking at the occasion Jeffery Ewing, Director, Deepwater & PSCs, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Managing Director, Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited commended Mrs. Obiano, the Anambra State Government and DSI for collaborating with the company to launch and implement this empowerment program which will no doubt enable participants to engage in income generating activities.
He further explained: ‘Partnership is one of the core values in Chevron companies, and we are happy to partner with the First Lady, the state government and DSI in the execution of this skills acquisition program, which is in line with our tradition of care.’ According to him the empowerment initiative was another indication of the company’s commitment to building human capacity towards sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
Ewing recalled that the company had donated fully equipped chest clinic, tuberculosis and leprosy (TBL) referred centre to Anambra State government; gave scholarship to 66 deserving indigent students presently studying medicine, surgery, dentistry, pharmacy and engineering courses in various tertiary institution in Nigeria. Jeffery Ewing was represented by Chevron’s Government Relations Advisor Eastern Operations, Ngo Kio.
The Group General Manager of NAPIMS speaking in the same vain said, ‘The economic program we are implementing in Anambra State through a partnership arrangement is a very good way of working because government cannot sponsor all the needed capacity building programs in the country. I applaud this partnership and encourage even more of such collaborations in the future.’
Also speaking, the chairman, Oil and Natural Gas ltd, Chief Reggie Uduhiri submitted that women empowerment will help improve the quality of life of Anambra citizens, adding that ONG ltd is working tirelessly in ensuring that Nigeria delivers on the MDGs.
He Said, “ONG is committed to ensuring Nigerians acquire the necessary skills to improve their business and live better”, adding, the company has provided drinking water and medical supplies to clinics in various remote communities in order to eliminate water borne diseases.
In her speech, the First Lady of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebele Obiano thanked Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited and its partners for organizing the program, which according to her, ‘will change the lives of participants and make them financially independent.’ She urged the beneficiaries of the program not to abandon what they have learnt for other skills because ‘the new skills they have acquired are sufficient to make them self-employed and employers of labour if put to use.’ Mrs. Obiano was represented by Dr. Victoria Chikwuelu – Anambra State commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Director, DSI, Mrs. Jacqueline Yemi Odiadi restated that the exercise would help the beneficiaries to gain financial independence, adding that their training was packed full with intensive activities. The event also featured a mini exhibition of some of the items produced by the trainees such as hats, bags, ear rings, necklaces, shoes, hand bags, liquid soap, cake, and hair and body cream among others.
