Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board, SPDC Empowers Obotobo I Indigenes On Different Skills
There was massive jubilation among beneficiaries in oil rich Obotobo I community, Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State today as the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board through the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and her JV partners trained and empowered 16 youths and women on different vocational skills via a hand over ceremony.
The starter packs for the 16 Indigenes are in the areas of Fashion Design, Catering and Confectionery, welding and pipe fitting, electrical and instrumentation.
In his speech during the programme, high Chief MacDonald Anoruse, Chairman of the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board had lauded the Shell Petroleum Development Company for their developmental strides in Ogulagha Kingdom over the years, stressing that Ogulagha Kingdom will continue to sustain the symbiotic relationship between SPDC and the Kingdom by maintaining peace at all times.
The statement read below:
Obotobo 1 Skill Acquisition Starter Packs Handover Ceremony 14-9-2022
We are indeed grateful to God as well as SPDC and her JV patrners for making it possible for us this day to hold a ceremony for the presentation of the starter packs for the Obotobo 1 skill acquisition programme
The Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development board (OKCDB) and the entire people of Ogulagha thank SPDC and her JV patrners for the introduction of the GMoU in Ogulagha Kingdom.
With the GMoU in place, Ogulagha Kingdom has seen and enjoyed lots of development across the Kingdom, ranging from construction of roads, bridges, walkways, drainages ,culverts, guest Houses, townhalls, corpers lodges, public conveniences, class rooms, economic Empowerment of 210 women, awarding scholarship to 272 indigenous students in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, training of 133 youths/women in various fields, amongst whom we have 16 from Obotobo 1 community today.
Inauguration of the board
The CDB was Inaugurated and members sworn-in on the 15th of August 2015. However, the current board was sworn in on the 9th of November 2021, and we resumed office 30th November 2021 when the handover was done.
Currently, we are transiting to HCDCT( Host Community Development Trust). We hope and believe that when the HCDT is fully in place, more development, more training programs, more scholarship etc. will come to the Kingdom.
To SPDC and her JV patrners, our mentoring NGO (ICD), the entire Ogulagha Kingdom say a big thank you.
We also send our condolence to HRM on the death of his mother, may God Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear the loss, as we all weep with you.
We will not fail to thank God for giving us life and making us part of this wonderful organisation.
Finally, we want to say a big thank you to HRM Elder Dr. Capt. King, Joseph I. Timiyan (JP), Agbonu, Torububor I, the Ibenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom for his fatherly advice.
“You have all been trained, you have all gone through a lot of processes. SPDC intention is to develop Niger Delta, both infrastructure and human capital.
“We expect that you use the training and the money judiciously to develop yourselves. After the distribution of the materials and the cash, SPDC will ensure that we monitor you in ensuring that you all start up your businesses.
“We want you all to be good ambassadors of SPDC, the training is very important to us. Going forward, if you need any support, we will be there to support you. ” Madam Ann Tuedon, SPDC representative stated.
On her part, Mrs Clara Mamamu Ibani who also represented SPDC said “This may not be much but we expect that out of the many that are in the community, the few of you who have been selected to benefit from this training and empowerment programme today, you have to make it big to become shining example for others to learn from.
“I want you all to be focused. It does not matter what you are starting with today “.
Also speaking, Madam Nneka who represented the Initiative for community development (ICD), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) responsible for mentoring beneficiaries of the programme had also tasked beneficiaries to take full advantage of the programme.
“We have all put in a lot in ensuring that we get to this level, there is still a monitoring face of the programme, we want to see that when we come to visit you, you are able to train others under you. That will make us happy. ” Nneka stated.
High point of the ceremony was the presentation of starter packs and cheque to the 16 beneficiaries at the GMoU office located at number 48 Ogunu Road, Warri, Delta State.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries that spoke to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide had all appreciated SPDC, her JV partners and the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board for selecting them, promising that they will use the items and cash judiciously to start up their businesses.
The event was well attended by present and former officers of the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board (OKCDB), chiefs of Ogulagha Kingdom as well as Obotobo I community leaders.
