Group unveils skills training, business grants for Akwa Ibom youths

The Effiat and Mbo Host Communities Development Trust, funded by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, has launched a skills acquisition programme and business grant initiative to empower youths and entrepreneurs in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The initiative is aimed at promoting economic growth, creating employment opportunities and encouraging self-reliance among residents of the host communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, by the Trust’s media unit, the organisation said the two-pronged human capital development programme would equip young people with practical skills while supporting small businesses with grants to expand their operations.

The Trust urged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity by enrolling in the vocational training programme, which will be conducted at three accredited institutions.

The designated training centres are the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DSAC), Ibiono-Ibom; Azimarine & General Services Ltd, Ibeno; and APTECH Computer School, Uyo.

The statement read, “The Effiat and Mbo Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), in partnership with Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, is pleased to announce its two-fold Human Capital Development Projects aimed at fostering growth and self-reliance within our communities.

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“For the skills acquisition training programme, the Trust is sponsoring comprehensive vocational and technical training at three prestigious institutes: Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center (DSAC), Ibiono-Ibom; Azimarine & General Services Ltd, Ibeno; and APTECH Computer School, Uyo.”

The Trust also explained that the business grant scheme is targeted at small and medium-scale entrepreneurs with viable businesses capable of growth and expansion.

The statement added, “This initiative is designed to fund viable, growth-oriented businesses with a clear capacity for expansion. The goal is to stimulate local economies, create employment opportunities, and improve household incomes within our host communities.”

The Trust expressed optimism that the programme would strengthen local enterprise, reduce unemployment and contribute to the long-term socio-economic development of the Effiat and Mbo host communities.

The HCDT was established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2022, which requires oil and gas companies to create Host Communities Development Trusts and contribute three per cent of their annual operating expenditure to support sustainable development projects in their host communities.

Patrick Odey

Patrick Odey is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from the University of Port Harcourt and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism. He has worked with notable publications including Post Express, Daily Champion, and Daily Trust, before joining Punch Newspapers. His career reflects a strong commitment to credible journalism, in-depth reporting, and public interest storytelling.

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