From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin has commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the training of 500 youths in Oyo State in solar power installation and maintenance.
A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of NCDMB stated that the training which was organised as part of the Board’s youth empowerment and human capacity- building initiatives was held in Ibadan.
Folarin who represented Oyo Central in the 9th Senate and who also doubles as the Chairman Local Content Senate Committee lauded the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote for his dedication to growing local content and building capacity for Nigerian youths.
According to him, if Nigeria had about 10 people with the same dedication and commitment as Wabote, the country would progress rapidly.
Folarin urged the Board to ensure the continuous engagement of the youths in training and contract opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Abdumalik Halilu disclosed that the Board initiated the programme to create employment opportunities in the country as well as generate wealth and empower the youths to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the nation.
Halilu noted that technology, skill acquisition in trade and agriculture are some of the high-impact economic sectors.
He explained that the solar installation and maintenance training provided an alternative source of power at homes and offices to support the national power grid in addition to providing job opportunities for the youths.
Halilu said as part of the end-to-end planning for the programme, the Board has concluded arrangements to register cooperatives societies for the group and also provide shops to play their trade.
‘’ The trainees will commence business as registration of cooperatives and the provisions of shops in groups for the graduates has been concluded. This empowerment programme was aimed at providing lifelong support to youths,’’ he said.
Halilu while imploring Nigerian youths to take advantage of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS), added that the platform is used to select participants for human capacity- building intervention and employment opportunities whenever such are available.
In her remarks the General Manager of the Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination Division, Mrs Angela Okoro revealed that the Board has trained 16,000 semi- skilled and skilled youths across the country as part of the Board’s Human Capital Development Initiative.