Ogu/Bolo Intensifies Human Capital Dev …Commissions Skills Centre, Equipment

In keeping with his promise of ensuring that youths in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area were properly trained, equipped, employable, occupationally-mobile and set to be independent entrepreneurs, the Chairman, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, has commissioned a fully-equipped skills acquisition centre in Ogu, with a commitment to intensify human capital development for the benefit of all in the area.
The building, which was built by previous administration, was rehabilitated and renovated by Nemieboka, and equipped by Technip FMC.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Nemieboka, thanked the management of Technip FMC for deeming it fit to equip the skills centre as part of their cooperate social responsibility (CSR) to the host community.
He said there was a paradox in the educational sector where people with certificates do not have skills, and those with skills do not have certificates, adding that this was a source of unemployment crisis in the nation.
The facilities were handed over to Ogu community by Technip FMC as CSR to its host communities.
However, Nemieboka appealed to the chiefs of Ogu community to hand the facility over to the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council for proper maintenance and optimal utilisation.
He said, if this was done, the council would maintain the equipment, and also provide instructors to teach the students.
Nemieboka said the council was interested in training and ensuring the youths of the area have skills, adding that it was for this reason that the council issued 2,500 application forms to eligible and interested youths in the area to apply to participate in capacity building training in the facility to equip them for the future.
He added that in the process, the council would get relevant information and statistics on what the youths were interested in so that more energy and resources could be channelled to the critical areas of need.
On the issue of starter packs, Nemieboka said no package would be given to anyone at the end of the training but added that those who genuinely use the skills they have learnt to start a business would be supported by the council to boost their businesses.
He appealed to youths in the area to avail themselves of the opportunity created by the establishment of the facility.
He called on Technip FMC not to relent in their CSR as there was room for more equipment like culinary and baking, welding and fabrication, heavy and light duty driving, among others.
Speaking earlier, the Business Development Manager, Technip FMC, Mr Sam Ben Ohen, said Technip FMC was a proud stakeholder in Ogu community, and has been able to do their business in peace because of the cordial relationship they have with their host community.
He said the project was a way of thanking the community for being a good host, which has enabled Technip FMC to impact positively in the lives of the people.
Ohen urged the community to secure and maintain the equipment, and prayed that when they come back for progress assessment of the facility, the results would be encouraging.
Also giving his opening remarks, the Chairman, Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs (ODCC), Chief Lawrence Williams Iyama, said the people would depend less on government when they have skills that would make them self-reliant entrepreneurs.
He thanked Technip FMC for conceiving such noble initiative that would better the lives of the people in Ogu community, and promised that the beneficiaries would concentrate and be commitment to learning and improving their skills.
The Ogu Community Liaison Officer of Technip FMC, Mr Fred Iyaye, while taking dignitaries round the facility, said it was structured to train over 1,000 people, adding that this would be done in batches.
The facilities in the training centre include, hairdressing,, pedicure and manicure equipment, sewing machines, weaving and embroidery machines, accessories and consumables.