…Urges Youth to Seize Opportunities at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Youth Forum

Bayelsa State has reaffirmed its status as an ideal host for oil and gas companies, offering a peaceful, business-friendly environment. Mr. Alfred Kemepado, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, made this assertion at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference 2024 Youth Forum, held at Harold Dappa Biriye Hall, Onopa, Yenagoa. He emphasized the state’s commitment to empowering its youth to take full advantage of the oil and gas sector’s opportunities.

Mr Kemepado emphasized the importance of equipping the Bayelsan youth with practical knowledge and modern technology to unlock wealth creation opportunities amongst youths, especially impacted youths in host communities. “This forum is designed to open doors to opportunities in the oil and gas industry, enabling our youth to prosper and become key players in the sector,” he stated.

He also stressed the need for collaboration between the Bayelsa State Government and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to develop a more robust information dissemination system. This collaboration, he explained, would ensure that youths, especially in oil and gas communities, are better informed about available opportunities and equipped to take advantage of them.

While advocating for continuous education, Mr Alfred Kemepado underscored the importance of specialised youth skill development programs and structures. He emphasized the establishment of Youth Skill Development Centres to train and certify young people in high-demand areas such as quality assurance, corrosion control, and reliability engineering. “We’re not de-emphasizing university and related degrees, but specialised certifications are essential for positioning our youth competitively in the modern oil and gas sector,” he noted.

In line with the forum’s theme, “Empowering the Future: Unlocking the Opportunities in the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Sector,” In his speech, Mr Kemepado urged Bayelsan youth to actively engage in the opportunities being presented, such as visiting and registering on the Ministry of Youth Development’s website- www.moyd.gov.ng where they can access tailored opportunities designed specifically for their growth and development. This initiative aims to equip youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the oil and gas sector.

He further highlighted that with over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 35, youth inclusion in local content development is critical for sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta and beyond.

Mr Kemepado’s call to action is clear:

“The future of Bayelsa and the broader Niger Delta lies in the hands of its youth. Now is the time to acquire the skills, seize the opportunities, and become the change-makers the sector needs.”