RismadarVoice Reporters, June 4, 2026
The Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni and Eastern Obolo Host Communities Development Trust (BOPANE HCDT) has commenced a skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering 261 youths from Rivers and Akwa Ibom states with vocational and professional training.
Speaking during the inauguration of the programme in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Mr Pius Agba, said the initiative is one of the Trust’s flagship empowerment projects supported by TotalEnergies.
According to Agba, beneficiaries drawn from Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro and Andoni communities in Rivers State, as well as Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State, will receive training in oil and gas-related fields and emerging digital professions.
The training areas include crane and forklift operations, industrial scaffolding, industrial welding and pipe fitting, rope access, mobile crane operations, cybersecurity, data analysis and other entrepreneurial skills.
Agba noted that the programme was designed to address unemployment, poverty and youth restiveness while creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth in host communities.
“Empowering our youths with practical and marketable skills remains one of the most effective ways of reducing unemployment, poverty and social vices within our communities,” he said.
He added that the initiative reflects the Trust’s commitment to human capital development and community advancement by raising a new generation of skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Representing TotalEnergies at the event, Mr Godspower Onu described the programme as an investment in the future of the communities, stressing that meaningful development is measured not only by infrastructure but by the opportunities created for people.
According to him, the selected trainees represent the resilience and potential of their communities and will be better positioned to contribute to economic development after the programme.
Traditional rulers at the event also commended the initiative.
The traditional ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Highness Dr Dagogo Brown, praised the Board of Trustees for prioritising youth development and urged other host community trusts to emulate the model.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Finima in Bonny Kingdom, HRH Dr Dagogo Brown, lauded TotalEnergies for its commitment to implementing the Petroleum Industry Act, noting that the legislation has strengthened relationships between oil companies and their host communities.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that the programme would create lasting economic opportunities and improve livelihoods across the beneficiary communities.
