BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
In furtherance of its Human Capital Development initiatives, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has so far trained 16,000 semi-skilled and skilled youths across the country.
General Manager of NCDMB Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination Division, Mrs. Angela Okoro stated this on Wednesday at the graduation of 500 youths trained on solar power installation and maintenance in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The training programme, which lasted for six months, was organised as part of the board’s youth empowerment and human capacity-building initiatives.
Okoro noted that the training would empower the youths to contribute immensely towards the development of the economy.
The former Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the 9th Senate, Sen. Teslim Folarin commended NCDMB for the initiative.
Folarin, who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District lauded the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote for his dedication to growing Local Content and building capacity for the youths.
He said that Nigeria would be a better place if there are 10 Simbi’s in the country, just as he pleaded with the board to continually engage the youths with more training and contract opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Alhalji Abdulmalik Halilu informed that the board initiated the programme to create employment opportunities, generate wealth and empower the youths to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the nation.
He observed that technology, skill acquisition in trades and agriculture are some of the high-impact sectors of the economy.
Halilu stated that solar power installation and maintenance would provide an alternative source of power at homes and offices to support the national power grid, in addition to providing jobs for the youths.
He hinted that as part of the end-to-end planning for the programme, the board has concluded arrangement to register cooperative societies for the group, as well as provide shops for them to practice the skills garnered during the training.
Halilu encouraged youths to utilise the available opportunities as encapsulated in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS), adding that the platform is used to select participants for human capacity-building interventions and employment opportunities.
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