… Uplifts potentials to increase Nigerian Content in the service industry 

By Ediri Ejoh

In line with the country’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world, Lonadek Oil and Gas Consultant, has successfully organized a summer retreat camp for young professionals selected from different secondary schools in Lagos state and its environ.

The youth initiative, which commenced in 2006, tagged: Vision 2020, Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative,   has over the years enjoyed the collaboration of major stakeholders in the economy including oil and gas sector and the government, with the aim of promoting and developing science and technology-based young professionals. This is parts of measure to bridge the gap created by lack of career guidance and counseling among Nigerian youths.

The initiative hopes to help form the creative minds that will make Nigeria, a top 20 country by the year 2020. It also focuses on career counseling, industry awareness and youth empowerment initiative, in order to address the deteriorating educational standard and poor value system and other society challenges that have encompass the country.

The forty-five students who enrolled into the camp, comprised of thirty-seven students of the brightest science students for summer camp and eight, students for young transformer and innovators from three clubs including,   Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS).

In all fourteen public schools and three private secondary schools including Badagary Senior Secondary School, Sango Senior Secondary School, Girls Senior Secondary Grammar School, Arch Deacon Adelaja Senior Secondary school, Birch Freeman High School, Government Technical College, Ikeja, Community Senior secondary School, Solard Comprehensive College, Ajibgeda Girls Senior High School, New vision Schools, King Ado Senior High School, Prince Charles Senior High School, Shesfun Comprehensive School. Laureates Comprehensive College and Ejigbo Senior High School, Lanre Awolokun Senior High School, were camped for a week in Dowen College, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The visioneer of the initiative, according to Dr. Ibilola Amao,   stated that the ultimate aim of the Vision 2020 is to increase the Nigerian Content in the service industry, by training more Nigerians professionals and vocational between now and year 2020.  She said, “we believe that the appropriate investment in the capacity, capability and competence development of our youths most especially in the area of science and technology in the country can strategically become the primary supplier of global skilled resources to the science and technology driven industries.”

However the students also embarked on excursion to MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited, Tin can Island to have a first-hand experience of the operations of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. The camp was graced with the presence of Mr. Gilbert, a geologist with Exxonmobil Plc, Ms. Ronke Onadeko, Mr. Biyi Awosikun, Mr. Ekundayo, Mrs Beverly Okoye, Engr. Michael Ojuroye, Mr. Kelechukwu Nwakwesi, a geologist from Total. Mr. Ifeanyi Abraham, a Senior Public Relations Officer from eTranzact Nigeria, who spoke on ‘Time Management and setting priorities’, Mrs. Toyin Abumere, a staff of Addax petroleum.

Other categories of winners in the camp also included, Master Chijioke Samuel, Best Safety & Health sign, from Badagry Senior School, Master Olowu Oluwasayo, most charismatic, from Shesfun Comprehensive School, Miss Afeniforo Progress, most charismatic, from Community Senior high School, and Master Mohammed Mubarak and Balogun Ramota, who both emerged as the most outstanding male and female.