In a bid to integrate communities in the Niger Delta into the oil and gas value chain, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has kicked off a capacity-building training initiative for elders in the oil-producing region. This strategic move aims to not only boost oil production but also uphold the Nigerian content mandate of the board.
The capacity training program is specifically tailored for elders and leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities, with a focus on enhancing their skills and knowledge to play a more active role in nation-building. This five-day training program, currently underway in Lagos, seeks to empower participants to forge stronger collaborations that will yield positive impacts within their respective communities.
Empowering Community Leaders for a Sustainable Future
Among the distinguished attendees at the training session were executive members of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), led by the President General Worldwide, Olorogun Barrister Ese Game Owe. The presence of these influential figures underscores the significance and relevance of the training program in fostering unity and progress within the region.
During the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, emphasized the critical role that training plays in empowering community elders. He highlighted the importance of fostering inter-ethnic cooperation and co-existence, emphasizing the need for leaders to understand the value of collaboration in a region that serves as the backbone of the nation’s economy due to its oil production.
Facilitating the training session was Chief Bernard Okumagba, the Chairman of Excellon Consults Limited and Cervice Energy Services Limited. He shared his insights on the pivotal role of the NCDMB in driving capacity-building initiatives to enhance indigenous capabilities. Chief Okumagba reiterated the importance of the Leadership Training Programme in equipping elders and youths from various ethnic groups with the skills needed to actively participate in the oil and gas industry, thereby advancing the agenda of promoting Nigerian content.
In his remarks, Chief Okumagba stated, “One of the key functions of the NCDMB is to engage in capacity-building interventions that would deepen indigenous capabilities. This Leadership Training Programme for the Leadership of our elders and youths of the various ethnic groups is in furtherance of the NCDMB mandate and crucial for promoting Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.”
He further emphasized, “By empowering the Leadership of our elders and youths, the NCDMB under the leadership of Executive Secretary and CEO Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe aims to integrate oil-producing communities into the oil and gas value chain, fostering institutional collaboration and maximizing Nigerian participation. This training is also vital for developing indigenous capabilities through human capital development, infrastructure, and local supplier growth.”
Through this comprehensive training program, the NCDMB is not only equipping community leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge but also fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among diverse ethnic groups in the Niger Delta. By empowering elders and youths to actively participate in the oil and gas value chain, the board is paving the way for sustainable development and growth within the region.
