The Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni and Eastern Obolo Host Communities Development Trust (BOPANE HCDT) has launched a skills acquisition programme for 261 young people from Rivers and Akwa Ibom states as part of efforts to address unemployment and strengthen workforce development within its host communities.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pius Agba, announced the initiative during the inauguration of the Trust Skills Acquisition Programme in Port Harcourt.
Agba said the programme, which is supported by TotalEnergies, focuses on developing competencies in both oil and gas-related occupations and emerging professional fields aligned with current labour market demands.
According to him, the selected training areas were carefully chosen to reflect industry needs and prevailing economic realities.
“The training areas include oil and gas-related skills such as crane and forklift operations, industrial scaffolding, industrial welding and pipe fitting, rope access, mobile crane operation, as well as modern entrepreneurial and digital skills such as cybersecurity, data analysis, and others,” he said.
Agba noted that the initiative is designed not only to provide immediate opportunities but also to build long-term human capital within the participating communities.
“Today is another bold step in our collective journey towards sustainable development, empowerment, and economic transformation of our people. This initiative, which will train 261 youths from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro in Rivers State and Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State in various vocational and professional skills, is one of the flagship empowerment programmes of this Trust,” he said.
He emphasised that equipping young people with practical and marketable skills remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, and other social challenges.
“We believe strongly that empowering our youths with practical and marketable skills is one of the most effective ways of reducing unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, and social vices within our communities,” Agba added.
Representing TotalEnergies, Godspower Onu commended the initiative’s emphasis on human capital development and workforce empowerment.
“Today’s occasion reminds us that true development is not only measured by infrastructure or investment, but by the lives touched and the future we are building. The young men and women selected for this programme today represent the strength, determination, and resilience of these communities,” Onu said.
He noted that the programme’s impact would extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries and contribute to long-term community development.
“This is about creating opportunities that will uplift communities and future generations. It is about giving young people the confidence to dream bigger and achieve more,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a significant investment in skills development and employability, highlighting the critical role of vocational training and apprenticeship pathways in preparing young people for productive participation in the economy.
