BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME
WARRI – Shell has empowered 12 female graduates of its Live wire training programe in Delta state with N2.4 million to enable them take off after their training in various skills.

Shell engineer

General Manager External Relations of the oil giant, Mr Igo Weli charged the 12 beneficiaries of the training program at the graduation ceremony in Warri , Delta state , to make good use of the opportunity, adding that the program which took off in 2003 has produced 6,687 entrepreneurs from the region.

He said this time, the beneficiaries were women from Excravos – Otumara in Warri South West local government area.

“This flagship youth enterprise development program was launched in Nigeria in 2003 and has so far produced 6,687 Niger Delta entrepreneurs, most of whom are now employers of labour. Some of the beneficiaries are also given the opportunity to play in SPDC’S supply chain as vendors and are provided with access to growth capital “, he said.

Social Investment Manager of Shell, Mr Emmanuel Ekpeyong who represented the General Manager External Relations of the firm pleaded with the beneficiaries to be serious with the opportunities offered by the training program, expressing hope that it would provide them long fulfilling career in self development and skill optimization.

Commissioner for Oil and Gas in Delta state, Mr Mofe Pirah who was represented by a Director in his Ministry, Mr Avwenagaga Avweke enjoined the oil giant to return to Warri to resume its operations, thanking the firm for the training program offered youths in the state.

“We have been telling SPDC since they left to come back . Since they left it has not been the same. “, he said. The Commissioner, Mr Pirah further urged the graduates not to sell their starter packs, saying they should strive to make impact in the various areas they had acquired skills .

A former beneficiary of the program, Mrs Benedicta Oporaza who also spoke charged the new beneficiaries to be serious, recalling how the training and support she got from the oil giant had made her an employer of labour.

She said she grabbed the opportunity to participate in the training program after she lost her job in the bank , adding that after the training she had become a major player in the baking business in the state.

“I was part of the Shell live wire training in 2013. Shell taught me so many things during the program and today I have some employees in my business . Don’t think what they will give is not enough just be diligent with the little and you will grow . Shell kept on following me to ensure my business succeeded and later they gave me additional funds when they were convinced I was growing in the area . Shell has introduced me to a lot of opportunities, they also introduced me and I got a single digit loan of 14 million naira with no collateral. Shell is my collateral . Shell bought me a van, a sound proof generator for my business. Just be serious and you will see the opportunities ahead of you”, she urged them