18 June 2013, Kaduna – The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, says it has earmarked N70 million for the training of 120 youths, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The Managing Director, Mr Bolanle Ayodele, stated this in Kaduna during the launch of the fifth edition of the Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme, introduced for unemployed youths living in communities around the company.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the company has so far offered skills training to 528 youths in 16 trades since the commencement of the programme in 2008.
The trades include construction, poultry, fisheries, auto mechanic, welding, panel beating, auto spraying and screen printing.
Ayodele said the programme had made positive impact in the relationship between the oil company and its host communities.
“Even in the face of scarce resources we will continue to expand it by increasing the number of participants and the range of courses its offers.
“This will give the participants a wider scope from which to make informed choices of career with the guidance of our expert consultants,” he said.
The managing director urged the trainees to be of good conduct and committed to the programme so as to build a bright future for themselves.
“I admonish you to shun such vices that have become endemic in our youths, such as drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity and the like that are capable of destroying your lives and stand in your way of becoming the future leaders that you are destined to be,” he added.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Services, of the company, Alhaji Idi Mukthar, represented by Abdullahi
Zakari said the number of participants have been scaled up to 120 from 105, due to its impact.
He said the trainees were drawn from Zango Kataf, Kagoro, Ikara, Chikun, Igabi, Zaria, Kaduna North and Kaduna South local governments.
Responding on behalf of the communities, the District Head of Kamazou, Mr Auta Makama commended the KRPC for the programme, describing it as a “genuine and realistic empowerment programme for our youths”.
One of the participants, Hamza Aliyu assured the KRPC management that those selected would put in their best to justify their selection.