Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bid to equip Ogoni youths with specialized maritime skills, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has flagged off a specialized seafaring training program for 100 young people from Ogoniland, as part of its livelihoods restoration scheme.
Speaking at the induction of the youths at Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Institute in Port Harcourt, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasized that the training was designed to produce highly skilled marine vessel captains and engineers.
Zabbey represented by the Director of Technical Services at HYPREP, Dr. Aguiyi Paul, underscored the choice of Charkin Maritime Institute for the training, citing its international recognition.
According to him, HYPREP aims to bridge the skills gap and create new career paths for Ogoni youths in the booming maritime sector.
“This is a promise we made to our people. The selection process was transparent. Nigeria has an 800km shoreline with immense maritime opportunities, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. This training is not about starter packs but about equipping Ogoni youths with globally sought-after skills that will secure them legitimate, high-end paying jobs.”
“As trainees, please pay attention to the details. Be assured that you’ll be taught by the best hands,” Zabbey told the trainees.
Also, HYPREP’s Head of Livelihoods, Mrs. Josephine Nzidee, reiterated that the initiative was part of a broader plan to position Ogoni youths in sectors where they have been underrepresented.
“We selected 100 persons from the four LGAs of Ogoniland. HYPREP is ensuring that Ogoni youths break into specialized sectors. That’s why we’re training our people in four key areas—seafaring, mechatronics, aviation, and creative arts. We have already trained 100 in aviation, and now 100 in seafaring.”
She urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously, adding that HYPREP plans to introduce more technical courses in 2025, including cybersecurity, mud logging, rope access, rigging, and other oil and gas-related skills.
Briefing newsmen, Dr. Charles Wali, Managing Director of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Institute, praised HYPREP for selecting the institute, describing it as Africa’s foremost maritime academy.
“Our certificates are recognized in the maritime, oil, and gas industries globally. There are a lot of opportunities in the offshore sector, but without the required certification, no one will employ you. A big kudos to HYPREP for sending 100 youths here.”
Wali highlighted Charkin’s world-class facilities, including purpose-built training swimming pools, a welding workshop, a full-mission navigation bridge, and various internationally accredited programs.
“We train people to work offshore on rigs and ships. We give them certificates that will enable them to work anywhere in the world,” he added.
For many of the trainees, the program marks a life-changing opportunity, a beneficiary Mr. Nubari Ezekiel from Beeri, Khana LGA said, “This is the first time I have benefitted from HYPREP, and it’s a wonderful thing to behold. By the grace of God, at the end of this four-month training, I will emerge as a vessel captain in the marine industry, thanks to HYPREP.”
Another beneficiary, Mr. Fred Goteh from Khana, described Charkin as the best training institute in West Africa.
“I hope HYPREP will prevail on Charkin to give us more practical training and fix us on industrial attachments for internship to boost our CVs,” he said.
