From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
As part of her corporate social responsibilities of alleviating the sufferings of her host communities, Waltersmith Oil Company plans to employ 47 graduates from communities in Ohaji Egbema Local Counil Area of Imo State, who were selected to participate in the company’s six-month 2021 Technical Skills Acquisition Programme.
Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the oil drilling company disclosed this on Saturday during the programme marking the end of the Technical Skills Acquisition Progamme for the beneficiaries.
Nwosu commended them for their comportment and zeal during the programme and informed them that their employment, which would most likely be for the company’s refinery, would be done in phases.
He reminded the youthful but intelligent selected participants who are mainly Engineers, Scientists and Geologist’s among other professionals that they were adequately trained to be job creators and employers of labour so as to jettison being job seekers.
In his speech, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nana Opia who is the Special Adviser/Coordinator of Oil and Gas Development to Imo State government, commended Waltersmith for their labour of love towards youths of their host communities.
According to Opia who was also the key guest speaker, “apart from insecurity, unemployment is one issue bedeviling the nation. Waltersmith is honoured when it comes to signing Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with their host communities and its implementations as the need arises, unlike other oil companies operating in the areas.
“The scheme will help in socio economic development of the state and Nigerian nation at large.”
He commended the will and courage with which the National Assembly passed the Petroleum Industry Bill, bill but decried the 3% derivation allocation to host communities, saying that 10% would have been more ideal so as to take care of the developmental needs of the devastated host communities.
The Oil and Gas expert further described it as “provocative” the allocation of 30% to areas that oil pipeline passed through even when most of the areas doesn’t have oil.
Earlier in her motivational speech, Mrs. Eriye Onagoruwa, the company’s External Affairs and Government Relations Manager applauded the participants for the discipline, commitment and dedication they exhibited throughout the period while reminding them that knowledge is the new goal.
According to Onagoruwa, “the best investment any company or nation can do is in knowledge through capacity building. You must maximize the knowledge potentials exposed to you, build up on it and advanced on it. Remember you all are trained to be job creators and not job seekers”.
The External Affairs and Government Relations Manager further reminded them that they are bound to have challenges but they are the architect of their success or failure in life and in whatever endeavor.
She also admonished them on the need to be creative in their thinking for job creation opportunities as well as building themselves with the wall of knowledge.
Highlight of the occasion was presentation of certificate to all the trainees by the management of the company.
