The Apiti of Rumueme
Kingdom, Eze O.N. Nsirim, has charged youths in the kingdom to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) skills acquisition scheme.
The Apiti who was represented by Chief Ovunda Nsirim, gave the charge recently at his palace during the opening ceremony of the 2014/2015 skills acquisition scheme sponsored by NAOC and its joint Venture partners.
He urged the trainees to build their future by putting in efforts to enhance their skills, stressing that parents and guardians of the trainees would be mandated to sign an undertaking to ensure that their wards practised what they were trained for, rather than selling the start pack.
He also appealed for more youths to be accommodated in the next season’s programme.
The representative of NAOC Public Affairs Division Manager, Felix Mangiri, said that the programme was designed to eradicate poverty and reduce the unemployment rate.
He urged them to be dedicated, focused and serious towards achieving the target of the scheme.
NAOC General Manager, Dirstrict, Paolo Carnevale, represented by the Public Relation Communication  and Government Liaison Manager, Chief Emeka Okoromah, in his address, noted that the essence of the scheme was to provide a platform for youths to be trained in various skills such as, woodwork, welding/fabrication, fashion and Designing, Computer training, Catering and event Management, with a view to curbing unemployment.
He urged the trainees to equip themselves with the requisite skills to enable them face the challenges of life.
In a goodwill message, one of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Sunny Otonah who owns a Welding workshop, said the success achieved is a testimony of the skills acquired from the scheme.
On behalf of the trainees, Chigozie Ehule, while thanking NAOC-appealed for an increase of the N12,000 stipend to N30,000 to enable them meet up their need, as well as increase in the number of trainees.
In another development, a 1Km road on Oworiaria and Isaiah Ibemeru road project were commissioned by NAOC last Monday in Rumueme Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In his speech, the NAOC General Manager District, represented by the Assistant Manager Governemtn liaison, Mrs Grace Okpoyo, said that the road will go a long way to boost the socio-economic development of the kingdom, also ease internal movement within the area.
She lauded the peaceful disposition of Rumueme Kingdom and hoped that the project will strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the company and the kingdom.
Chief Minikwu Nsirimovu Chuku on behalf of the council of Chief commended Agip for their magnanimity and assured the continued peaceful environment and cordial relationship with NAOC.