The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in partnership with Okomu Oil Producing Company (OOPC), has launched a comprehensive vocational skills development program designed to equip 165 young people from Okomu’s neighboring host communities with market-relevant technical and entrepreneurial skills.
The initiative marks a significant investment in human capital development and reflects a growing recognition that sustainable community development is best achieved by empowering young people with the capabilities and opportunities needed to build productive livelihoods.
As part of its evolving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, Okomu Oil is shifting from traditional infrastructure-based interventions toward investments that directly strengthen the economic prospects of local communities. By prioritizing skills development and youth empowerment, the company aims to create lasting pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion.
To commence the technical and vocational training phase of the initiative, PIND facilitated a comprehensive orientation and onboarding exercise in Benin City, Edo State, under its Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) program. The exercise officially welcomed the beneficiaries into the program and provided them with guidance on their training pathways, performance expectations, workplace ethics, and opportunities within their chosen sectors.
Speaking during the event, Okomu Oil’s Communications and Community Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Olise, commended the quality of the implementing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) partners selected for the initiative and encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“Okomu is investing significantly in the future of these young people. We expect to see meaningful transformation and tangible outcomes that will positively impact both the beneficiaries and their communities,” he said.
Representing PIND’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, the Economic Development Manager, Mr. Misan Edema-Sillo, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital as a catalyst for sustainable peace and economic development.
“When young people gain the skills, confidence, and discipline needed to participate meaningfully in the economy, communities become more resilient and opportunities for growth expand. This initiative is about creating pathways to long-term prosperity and inclusion,” he noted.
The 165 beneficiaries have been organized into specialized training cohorts managed by experienced, female-led TVET institutions. Through the partnership, Genius Hub Ltd will provide training in Fashion and Tailoring as well as ICT and Media Creativity, while Amy6015 Global Enterprise, in collaboration with Benin Technical College, will deliver training in Welding and Fabrication, Leatherwork, and Catering.
Beyond technical instruction, participants will receive mentorship, entrepreneurial orientation, and behavioral development support designed to strengthen workplace readiness, personal accountability, and business management skills. The onboarding process also introduced trainees to sector-specific safety requirements, performance standards, and facility protocols to ensure a productive learning experience throughout the program.
Over the next six months, the initiative is expected to develop a pool of skilled and self-reliant young people capable of securing employment, creating businesses, and contributing to local economic growth. To ensure quality implementation and measurable outcomes, PIND’s Youth Employment Pathways team will provide continuous monitoring, technical oversight, and performance tracking throughout the training period.
Investing in Youth, Strengthening Communities
Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing development challenges across the Niger Delta. Addressing this challenge requires collaborative investments that connect young people to relevant skills, emerging opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods.
Through partnerships such as this, PIND continues to advance inclusive economic development by strengthening local capacities, promoting workforce readiness, and expanding pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. By working alongside forward-looking corporate partners and accredited training institutions, PIND is helping to build a skilled workforce that can drive community prosperity, economic resilience, and sustainable development across the region.
