By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has unveiled an oil and gas skills training programme for 2,000 youths in the state as part of efforts to prepare them for emerging opportunities in the energy sector.
Otu disclosed this on Thursday at the Youth Empowerment Oil and Gas Training and CPD-Accredited Empowerment Programme held under the theme, “Skill Up in the Season of Sweetness (SUSOS).”
The governor was represented at the event by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem.
Ayambem, speaking on behalf of the governor, said the programme was designed to provide young Cross Riverians with practical skills and professional certification to improve their chances of securing opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
He said the initiative was in line with the administration’s People First Agenda, particularly its focus on human capital development.
According to him, opportunities in the oil and gas sector extend beyond exploration and production to areas including engineering, logistics, safety, environmental management, procurement, maintenance and data services.
Otu said government had a responsibility to equip young people with the technical competence, knowledge and professional credentials required to compete in the changing global energy sector.
He described the training of 2,000 youths through CPD-accredited certificate and diploma programmes as an investment in the productive capacity of the state.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and use the skills acquired as a foundation for professional development, entrepreneurship and participation in the wider economy.
He assured youths in the state that his administration would continue to support programmes aimed at expanding access to skills, enterprise opportunities and productive employment.
“We are building a State in which talent is recognised, skills are rewarded, and young people are equipped to become employers, professionals and contributors to sustainable development,” Otu said.
The governor commended the organisers and technical partners for supporting the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired to create economic value.
He also charged them to “skill up, stand out and contribute meaningfully to the Season of Sweetness,” while urging them to serve as ambassadors of the state in their professional pursuits.
