In a move aimed at empowering young people across neighbouring communities of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has signed  partnership agreements with the Edo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) and the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs).

The agreements,  which build on the Memorandum of Understanding earlier signed between Okomu and PIND, are designed to advance youth empowerment and community development through structured skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, and improved access to economic opportunities. The agreements will also expand opportunities for young people in Edo state through PINDs Youth Employment Program.

The broader partnership between Okomu and PIND is anchored on five key pillars —  Peace Building, Market System Development, Youth Employment Pathways (YEP), Access to Finance, and Access to Energy. Under the Youth Employment Pathways component, 165 young people from Okomu’s neighbouring communities will receive technical and vocational training to enhance their employability and capacity for self-reliant ventures. The collaboration with BTVE and EdoJobs will play a critical role in delivering this component through established state-level training systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Benin City, Fidelis Olise, Communications Officer at Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, described the partnership as a major milestone in the company’s corporate social responsibility agenda.

“We are glad to have signed an MoU with PIND to implement impactful CSR projects in our neighbouring communities. With this partnership between PIND and these government agencies, we are optimistic that more opportunities are being created for young people in our neighbouring communities and across Edo State,” Olise said. 

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Effiong Essien, Programs Director at PIND, highlighted the strategic value of the collaboration in expanding PIND’s implementation footprint and deepening impact through partnerships.

“Although PIND has worked extensively across the Niger Delta, this partnership with OOPC provides an opportunity to extend our proven development models into Edo State, working with relevant government agencies to deliver structured, scalable, and impactful interventions,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Benin Technical and Vocational Education Centre, Barr. (Mrs.) Onomen Briggs, in her remarks, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to initiatives that provide young Edo residents with practical skills and employment opportunities.

“We remain open to partnerships that promote youth development and community growth in Edo State,” she noted.

Similarly, the Managing Director of the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Hon. Kerimu Shehu Kelly, commended Okomu and PIND for the initiative and pledged the agency’s commitment to supporting the upskilling and development of young people across the state.  

With the agreement now formalised, implementation will commence with structured training programmes designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, while promoting inclusive skill-driven economic development for Okomu’s neighbouring communities and Edo State.