As part of their corporate social responsibility and also in a bid to check the problem of unemployment in the country, Seven Energy, a leading Nigerian Gas Company and Evomec Global Services, an engineering, construction and oil and gas company have trained 20 youths in welding and fabrication at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
The youths were from Uruan, Oron, Okobo and Oruk Anam local government areas.
Speaking at a formal passing out and certificate award ceremony for the beneficiaries, Senior Manager of Seven Energy, Sir Lawrence Ighokpo, said their memorandum of understanding for projects contains some incentives to the communities, one of which is to train some of the community people.
He said beneficiaries were selected by the leaders of the community, and urged them to use the knowledge acquired optimally.
He expressed gratitude to the communities were they operated for their cooperation, and promised to continue to partner with the state government to better the lives of the people.
Managing Director of Evomec Global Services, High Chief Peter Esievo, represented by Project Manager, Engr Alfred Mrakpor urged the beneficiaries to begin to think like professionals.
His word’s “Take the training you have gotten seriously and challenge yourself to move forward. Don’t say because it was free education and take it for granted else you will lose out. For us as a company, we will continue to works towards the development of the people.”
Director, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Consult, Dr Kelvin Okona expressed gratitude to the management of Seven Energy and Evomec for giving them opportunity to exercise their mandate.
Okona said training indigenous hands on such technical areas would help to reduce reliance on international experts, which would help to conserve foreign exchange.
“We are proud of these 20 graduands because they did not give us any problem. My advise to them is that this is not the end but just the beginning. You still have a long way to go. Don’t go home and sleep. Look for means of improving the skills acquired. We look forward to more collaborations with the companies,” he said.
Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Iniobong Essien represented Mrs Emem Ibokette appreciated Seven Energy and Evomec for a job well done.
He said their operations have led to more stable electricity in the state.
“The companies are keying into the state industrialization roadmap. We also appreciate the communities for the cooperation and urge the graduands not to misuse the opportunity. We also urge the companies to extend their goodwill to other parts of the state,” the Commissioner said.
The Paramout Ruler of Oron, who was represented by the Clan Head Idua, HH Edet Nyong Ekeng expressed appreciation to the companies and urged the beneficiaries to make utmost advantage of the opportunity.
Best graduand, Mr Ime Robin who spoke on behalf of the others, urged youths to shun violence and embrace dialogue as a means of agitating to for their needs.
While thanking all who made the training possible, he assured that they would ensure they would work hard at what skills they acquired to make the society a better place.