In compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) in collaboration with the Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Eket and Esit Eket EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, (Ikot Abasi chapter) last week, flagged of a six-week ICT training workshop with a theme: Mastering ICT Skills For The Future, for 100 youths across the five clans of Ikot Abasi.
In his address, a member of the Board of Trust, representing Ikot Abasi and former commissioner with the National Assembly Commission, Hon. Justus Ntuk, said the gesture was in line with the core objectives of the Trust, which seeks to uplift and build capacity in the youths, through specialized ICT training and empowerment with a view to empowering the next generation.
He said EMOIMEE was mandated to drive community development projects that align with the needs of the host communities of multinational oil producing companies, by prioritizing education, healthcare, infrastructure and capacity building initiatives.
”Ikot Abasi as a member of EMOIMEE HCDT has paid a 400,000 scholarship award to each of its 250,000 students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This scholarship will be sustained and improved upon”, he said.
Ntuk, who is also a former commissioner with the Local Government Service Commision, charged participants to embrace the opportunity and add values to their lives, stressing the critical influence of computers in today’s world.
Earlier, the chairman on the occasion and chairman, Board of Trustee of EMOIMEE, Senator Helen Esuene, through her representative, Engr. Sunny Udoh, described EMOIMEE as a blessing to the host communities, and enjoined participants to avail themselves of the opportunity and tap into the global digital world.
Also speaking, pioneer majority leader of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and former chairman of Ikot Abasi, Barr. Uwem Ekanem (Ntanta Akwa Ibom), stressed the need for a horizontal investment in human capital building as a panacea for a peaceful and meaningful future, even as he presented the participants to the facilitator, Nsikan Udoh.
Others who spoke in the same vein included the chairman, Ikot Abasi Transition Committee, Barr. Godwin Udonta, a former chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and President General, Mboho Ikot Abasi, Arc. Ufot Udoinyang, Ikot Abasi Chapter President of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Barr. Ekong Umorok, and Obong Ubong Udom KSJI.
In a vote of thanks, the advisory committee member and former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Dr. Akpan Micah Umoh, appreciated the dignitaries for coming out in good number to grace the event and commended the facilitator for his effort in imparting the skills in the participants, even as he expressed optimism that the training will add tremendous value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
The Unity Hall of Ukpum Okon was filled to the brim as youths overflowed the premises.
In attendance were: The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom (represented by Sir Ubong Udom), Clan head of Ukpum Ete, His Royal Highness, Etebom Nsikan Etuk Udom,
Others were a former chairman of Ikot Abasi Caretaker Committee, Hon. Sylvanus R. Ikpo KSJI, former Commissioner with Public Complaints Commision, Hon. Chelly Okoko, former commissioner with Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Mathias Idiong, and a host of others.
