Sixteen young graduates of engineering, the geosciences and related academic disciplines on Wednesday in Port Harcourt underwent opening formalities for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) programme, on the back of provision of coiled tubing and nitrogen pumping services for oil and gas industry operations.
The 12-month programme, designed to train the young graduates on how to deploy jointless steel pipes for cleaning, repairs and stimulation of oil and gas wells and in the use of specialised equipment for conversion of liquid nitrogen into high-pressure nitrogen gas, has intensive classroom sessions and on-the-job training, with appropriate certifications.
For the duration of the programme, the trainees would begin with entrepreneurship and business development, presentation and communication skills, Nigerian Content Awareness, digital literacy, introduction to oil and gas, budget training, confined space training, and NEBOSH International Technical Certificate, and then proceed to project management, drilling and completions technology, and well intervention and control, among other courses.
In an opening remark, the Manager, HCD, in the NCDMB, Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena, stated that the NC-HCD programme was for highly specialised training that would equip the young graduates with world-class skills in multiple competencies.
She pointed out that the Board is intentional in determining the trainings for young graduates, ensuring that they align adequately with its mandate to build local capacity, deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, and create opportunities that drive national economic growth.
“This programme, delivered in partnership with TotalEnergies Limited, is a deliberate investment in you,” she declared, adding, “It is a statement of belief in your potential….What you do with it is what will matter.”
She commended TotalEnergies for its evident commitment to development of Nigerian talents, noting that the company is helping to shape human capability, build confidence in the young graduates and also strengthening the future of the oil and gas industry.
In another opening remark, the Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Content Division of TotalEnergies, Ms. N. Okonkwo, said the NC-HCD programme reflects a shared commitment of her company and the NCDMB to “strengthening Nigerian Content, building sustainable human capacity, and fostering strategic collaboration” across the organisations.
According to her, the companies are taking deliberate steps towards nurturing local talent and enhancing technical expertise in the industry, and would appreciate active participation and steadfast commitment by all stakeholders, including the trainees. “You’re not here just to learn a job; you’re here to build habits, character, and confidence,” she declared to the trainees.
In his own remarks, a representative of Poseidon Energy Services Limited, a partner company in the NC-HCD programme, Chief Alex Nwaiawe, charged the trainees to be at their best and to avoid the tendency of undervaluing whatever is offered at no cost. “When people get things free, they tend not to value it,” he observed, noting that, “This training is a step into the future.”
In closing remarks, Mr. Daniel Dents, of TotalEnergies, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for making opportunities for capacity development available to Nigerian youths, citing its enabling statute, Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and Guidelines by the Board. He said TotalEnergies was equally glad for being part of the HCD programmes and empowerment of citizens as it complies fully with the Act.
