Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a strategic move to bolster local content and stimulate economic growth, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has trained 20 young Nigerians in the craft of professional bag making, equipping them with skills to manufacture high-quality, Made-in-Nigeria bags.
The closing ceremony of the NCDMB-sponsored Bag Making Boot Camp held in Warri, Delta State, drew applause as trainees showcased their handcrafted works, symbolizing the Board’s sustained investment in human capital development.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by his Senior Technical Assistant, Engr. Harmony Kunu, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to become ambassadors of local content and self-reliance.
He said, “You have acquired skills that will enable you to produce Made-in-Nigeria bags of global standard. This is how we grow our economy, by building from within, increasing our GDP, and creating sustainable jobs.”
The initiative, facilitated by FCI International and supported by the Board, aligns with NCDMB’s mandate to deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry through targeted skills acquisition programmes that go beyond the sector.
Managing Director of FCI International, Mr. Fortune Idu, lauded the commitment and creativity of the trainees, noting that their output was a reflection of discipline and potential for enterprise.
“I am impressed by the quality of work these young people have produced. Their craftsmanship is evidence of what can be achieved with the right support and training. Kudos to NCDMB for thinking beyond oil and supporting non-oil sector skills.”
One of the beneficiaries, speaking on behalf of the trainees, expressed gratitude to the Board for empowering them with lifelong skills. “Thank you for teaching us how to fish and not just giving us fish,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
The graduation ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Board including the Edo/Delta Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Eyitegha James; Imo/Abia Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ema Ohaere; Supervisor in the Executive Secretary’s Office, Temisan Eguando; and Supervisor, Media, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwokemodo.
The Bag Making Boot Camp is part of NCDMB’s broader human capital development framework, which targets youth empowerment, economic diversification, and entrepreneurship beyond the oil and gas value chain.
As the beneficiaries prepare to enter the business world with new skills and confidence, the Board says it will continue to provide support through follow-up mentoring and linkage to market opportunities, further reinforcing its commitment to building a resilient Nigerian economy.
