By Olakunle Oke
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its continued investment in human capacity development across the Niger Delta region.
Ekpo made the remarks during an unscheduled visit to a training centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where selected youths are undergoing a 21-day intensive training on Fire Alarm and CCTV installation. The programme, is one of NCDMB’s numerous initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians with technical and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance.
The Minister said his visit was to encourage the trainees to make the most of the opportunity provided by NCDMB. He noted that the initiative was designed to empower youths in the Niger Delta to become productively engaged and contribute to national development.
“I want you to take this training seriously and use it to build yourselves and your communities,” Ekpo said, applauding NCDMB’s commitment to human capacity development.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Zonal Coordinator for Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Mrs. Bertha Chukwemeka-Alaribe, appreciated the Minister for his visit and encouragement. She praised the trainees for their dedication and urged them to apply the skills gained to create meaningful livelihoods.
Mrs. Chukwemeka-Alaribe also commended the consultant for delivering quality training, describing the initiative as a major step in NCDMB’s mission to develop skilled and self-reliant Nigerian youths.
The consultant, Mr. Velly Awala, Chief Executive Officer of Velebi Resource Nigeria Limited, expressed gratitude to NCDMB for the opportunity to organize the training. He disclosed that, beyond technical skills, the participants were also trained in marketing strategies to improve their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
The event ended on a high note, celebrating the Board’s continued drive to enhance youth empowerment and promote local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.