In order to reduce political tension and restiveness in the Niger Delta region, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Elano Investments Limited, Chief Gomba Okanje has stressed the need for the majority of the youth in the region to be deeply engage in meaning ventures.
Okanje who made the advocacy at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State at the graduation of 31 skill acquisition trainees sponsored by the Elano firm maintained that the issue of introducing operation “crocodile smile” in the Niger Delta would not have risen if majority of youth even after leaving school were engaged in trades instead of waiting of the white collar jobs.
His words: “All these restiveness in the Niger Delta region are as a result of not channelling the energy of the youths in the region into meaningful ventures. If people in the region had been trained skilfully, they know that they have a future they would not go or engage in an unscrupulous activities that we are finding everywhere in the Niger Delta region”.
Okanje lauded the management of MAN, Oron for bequeathing the youths in the country with skilful programmes through various skill acquisition schemes offer by institution to enhance the future of the youth.
According to him, the decision for Elano Investments Limited to engage youths of the Niger Delta educationally and in various skill acquisition programmes was to ensure the youths secure a better future for themselves. The way the country and the economic are gearing to the best thing is to engage our people in skilful trainings to boost the economic. Except we do this depression will still be experienced in the region.
He enjoined the trainees to be serious and put into practice the knowledge acquired during the training, promising them that the company will provide them with starter parks and accommodation for them to start skills so acquired.
The Chairman, Education Committee, Elano Investments Limited, Professor Walter Ollor, in his remarks at the occasion said besides the skill acquisition scheme the company is also considering providing bursary for indigent students of the region in tertiary institutions.
“We believe that human capital is the best that could be given to any community”, he said stressing that the best way to plan for the future is to provide a generation with knowledge”, he said.
The Director, MAN Consult, Dr. Kevin Okonna said the beneficiaries of the programmes were trained in computer appreciation and office management, diesel and petrol engine repairs/maintenance, electrical works, repairs and maintenance.
The Deputy Managing Director and Co-ordinator, Wilder Perspectives Limited that screened the beneficiaries for the scheme, Mrs Edughom Hanson reminded the trainees to make good use of the skills acquired.
According to her, acquiring the skill was a good foundation for them to aspire to achieve anything they want in life.
“The skill must be drive with vision to get the best. You should not only look for employment but you should strive to generate employment and impact the society what you have benefitted”, she said.
