Former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Matthew B Seiyefa, set the tone at the 2025 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Youth Forum on Tuesday, calling on young people, particularly in Bayelsa State, to develop skills that meet modern societal needs rather than depend on government employment.
Delivering the keynote address at the Harold Dappa Biriye Hall, Golden Tulip, Yenagoa, Seiyefa cautioned youths against illegal refining, crude oil theft, piracy and other activities that undermine development in the Niger Delta.
He said young people must “make the most efforts to acquire knowledge and skills” in order to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the oil and gas industry.
His remarks opened this year’s PNC Youth Forum, a major component of the 14th Practical Nigerian Content Conference organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The event, themed “Building Youth Capacity, Securing Investments, Sustaining Growth in the Oil and Gas Industry,” brought together government officials, industry leaders and young delegates from across the region.
Participants described the forum as both inspiring and informative.
Blessing Perekeme said the sessions were “very educative and enlightening,” noting that the platform plays a vital role in engaging young people across the Niger Delta and beyond.
Another delegate, Nathan Ogio, said the programme was “insightful and impactful,” commending the NCDMB for its steady investments in technical training, entrepreneurship programmes and targeted youth initiatives.
“I wasn’t aware the Board organised programmes of this scale until today. I’ve learnt a great deal about the sector and I’m looking forward to next year’s edition,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr Felix Ogbe, Mr Teddy Bai, Supervisor of Government Relations, said young Nigerians must be strategically positioned to benefit from a rapidly changing global energy landscape.
He stated that the future of energy would require a blend of traditional oil and gas expertise and newer technology-driven solutions.
Creativity, digital literacy and enterprise skills, he said, remain essential for addressing key sector challenges, including pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and skills gaps in emerging energy technologies.
Ogbe reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting young people and encouraged them to register on the NOGICJQS database to access available training and development opportunities.
In another session, Barr Bolou-Ebi Esther Opukiri, Chief Executive Officer of The Queen Esther Group, delivered a presentation on enterprise development, urging young people to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination.
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