Speaking at the event, Abayomi Bamidele, Director of the Board’s Capacity Building Directorate, urged young Nigerians to embrace skill development as a practical route to independence and national advancement.
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Bamidele, who was represented by John Barigha, the Director’s Technical Assistant and Supervisor of Marine Vessel Categorization, encouraged the graduates to seize the chance, emphasizing that their success will primarily depend on how well they applied the skills they had learned.
He advised the recipients not to minimize the program, pointing out that their success in their chosen fields will depend on their discipline, effort, and dedication.
In order to increase participation and expand prospects in the oil and gas industry, he also revealed that the Board is wrapping up plans to launch a new training program aimed at young people under 35, especially those with engineering credentials.
He advised recipients to make good use of their beginning packs and advised them not to sell the equipment.
“We are teaching you how to fish; we are not giving you fish,” he said.”The net is what we have given you today. It is now left for you to make effective use of it,” Barigha said.
Barigha emphasized that the Board made significant investments to guarantee the program had a long-lasting effect.
Speaking as well, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, CEO of Jake Riley Ltd., said that the graduation was a turning point for 250 young Nigerians.
According to her, the program demonstrated NCDMB’s growing involvement in local content creation, with youth empowerment being essential to economic transformation.
She called the program a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, pointing out that NCDMB continues to show that the development of human capital is essential to the country’s progress.
According to Ogbue, “today celebrates not just achievement but a national vision positioning young people as drivers of Nigeria’s economic future.”
According to Ogbue, the program is a strategic investment in human capital that is in line with the inclusive growth agenda of President Bola Tinubu. According to her, the training placed a high priority on market-ready abilities that may bring in money right away in a variety of expanding industries.
“What these graduates have received is capability, not charity,” she stated.
According to Ogbue, before moving on to seven specialized skill tracks, recipients received rigorous foundation training and transparent selection.
Solar installation, fashion design, catering, digital freelancing, textile and Adire manufacturing, electrical installation, and GSM phone repair were among the industries she mentioned.
“These skills were chosen to meet market demand and expand employment opportunities nationwide,” Ogbue continued.
She praised the NCDMB leadership for supporting demand-driven training, particularly Mr. Bamidele Abayomi, Director of Capacity Building.
Ogbue also commended Jake Riley Academy, trainers, and facilitators for fusing entrepreneurship and technical brilliance.
One beneficiary, Mr. Anuba Chidera, a trainee in solar installation, said the program was transformative and had a strong practical focus.
Graduates were given beginning packets and diplomas at the end of the ceremony, allowing them to launch or grow their enterprises right away. 162 trainees in digital skills, 20 solar installers, 23 caterers, 22 fashion designers, and other technical tradesmen were among the participants.
