Deborah Ocheni

Abuja


The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken a major step toward youth empowerment and skills development by sponsoring Ogoni youths for specialized training in aviation and mechatronics engineering.

The Project Coordinator, HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey in a press statement made available to Journalists in Abuja, noted that the initiative is part of HYPREP's broader sustainable livelihood strategy, designed to provide alternative income sources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Ogoniland.

Nenibarini Zabbey congratulated participants on meeting the training requirements and encouraged them to take the training seriously.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter in your lives in terms of building a career in the aviation industry.Zabbey disclosed that this year, the Project will be conducting training in other high-demand skills, noting that a gentle revolution is underway in Ogoni as the Project is positively impacting people and communities.

He charged the beneficiaries of the cabin crew training to see themselves as key agents to the restoration that is taking place in Ogoni, and carriers of hope, because what they can do after the training will contribute to the economic impact HYPREP is pushing, which will position the region on the national and global map. He further urged participants to go out there and be good ambassadors of the clean-up of Ogoni land.

Declaring the Mechatronics training open, Prof Zabbey maintained that HYPREP is making commitment to moving youths from low- to high-end skills.

Earlier in his speech, Prof. Georgewill extolled HYPREP for the gesture, noting that the training will equip the trainees with skills that are globally relevant and economically viable, and urging them to leverage the opportunity by showing commitment to learning.

The training Consultant, Mr Makozi Samuel (MD/CEO), Competent Samco Technical Nigeria Limited, explained that the 4-month training will involve theoretical and hands-on sessions. Among other deliverables, the training will foster the capacity for creative solutions to complex engineering challenges; develop trainees' abilities to manage teams and projects in modern digital Oil & Gas industries; and inculcate in the trainees the need to adhere to safety regulations, environmental standards, and ethical guidelines in engineering practice.

In their goodwill messages, HRH Mene Kabari and Engr Igbinomwanhia highlighted the enormous opportunities and prospects the skill offers. They re-echoed the charge to trainees to make the most of the opportunity. Engr Igbinomwanhia reiterated Renaissance's commitment to the Ogoni Cleanup Programme and its support for HYPREP's human capacity development initiatives.

Prof Bourdillon  O. Omijeh, National Coordinator Embedded AI Project in Nigeria and Professional Mentor for the HYPREP Mechanic Programme, delivered the Orientation Keynote Lecture on the Anatomy of Mechatronics in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Similarly, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, the Project Support Lead for Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd, and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood, urged participants to take the programme seriously to make the most of the efforts put into the training. Mrs Nzidee stressed that only those who pass the training exercise will receive the certificate.

The Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, in his closing remarks, also enjoined participants to do their best and concentrate on the reason for which they are embarking on the training. “Whatever you learn, whatever you acquire is yours; nobody can take it away from you.” He stated.

Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, is elated that the training has commenced and assured that HYPREP will continue to place a premium on capacity development and value addition for Ogoni through these high-demand skills, which will better position the people for emerging industry demands.

The 100 beneficiaries for the Mechatronics training were selected through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) administered in February 2023. This year, HYPREP will be conducting training in other high-demand skill areas, including full-stack development, GIS and remote sensing, cybersecurity, rope access, commercial diving/underwater welding, mud logging, and agric-skill enhancement. Further information on the selection criteria will be available on the Project's various communication channels.