The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Thursday charged 30 outstanding young engineers and geoscientists to ready themselves to assume problem-solving roles in and out of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The 30 job-ready youths were beneficiaries of the 12-month intensive project-based human capital development (HCD) programme of Chevron Nigeria Limited, implemented in connection with the supply of Zicornia perforated tiles and molecular sieve by Geoscape Nigeria Limited in support of the Escravos-Gas-Liquids operation in Delta State.
Speaking at the close-out ceremony in Port Harcourt, the Executive Secretary, represented by the Manager, HCD, Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena, said the training, which entailed classroom learning and hands-on work across industrial automation and control, data analytics, international trade and logistics, project management, and entrepreneurship, was to equip them with valuable skills, which they have to use with purpose, integrity and persistence.
“You were not groomed merely to take jobs,” he stated, adding, “you were prepared to create solutions, to raise standards, and to lead locally with global competence.” He reminded them that the opportunity they received was a weighty investment in their future, and that they now hold new skills and knowledge, which they have to apply with purpose, honesty and hard work.
He thanked Chevron for “its steadfast commitment in local content” and Geoscape “for the professionalism and commitment they brought to this program.”
Earlier in opening remarks, a representative of Chevron, Mr. Victor Inyere, said the close-out event “signified more than the successful completion of a contractual obligation,” that “it reflects a deliberate and strategic investment in human capital development in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.”
According to him, the event also reflects a shared aspiration for sustained national capacity enhancement.
In the vote of thanks, a representative of Geoscape commended the outgoing trainees for their dedication to the training programme, noting, “I saw the fire in your involvement in the workshop activities.” He advised them to be intentional, to focus on building themselves, and not getting confused about future pursuits, while assuring them that the company was willing to allow them visit from time to time as they could learn more.
He also thanked the NCDMB and Chevron for the opportunity to provide training services and for the support Geoscape has enjoyed from the two organisations.
In turns, the students expressed appreciation to Chevron, Geoscape and the NCDMB for the privilege to undergo top-grade training as they had at training facilities in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Some suggested that more practical sessions be introduced in future trainings as well as exposure to operations of international courier services to acquaint them with aspects of international trade and logistics
