By Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) livelihood training has earned five Ogoni youths automatic employment at Dana Airline cabin as crew members last Friday.
It was gathered that the livelihood training programme was part of HYPREP’s core mandates, which included, cleaning up of oil polluted sites, provision of portable drinking water and others.
The five beneficiaries emerged winners in a contested cabin crew recruitment exercise organised by HYPREP in conjunction with the Crew Training Institute and Dana Air at T-Fad Hotel and Resort in Wiiyaakana Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State last Friday.
The beneficiaries were some of the initial group of 13 trainees who were coached and trained by the Crew Training Institute (CTI) in Lagos, which was funded by HYPREP.
The first three beneficiaries who emerged first, second and third position were offered employment by Dana Air while the fourth and fifth positions were also given automatic employment by a subsidiary airline.
The winners of the cabin crew contest were Mr Meneyii King Barisua from Khana Local Government Area; Miss Grace Wealth B. Agon-Ngbor from Tai Local Government Area; and Miss Domale Badom from Gokana Local Government Area.
Others included Miss Nnyeomah Constance Nwagor from Eleme Local Government Area; and Mr Miracle Nnutam from Tai Local Government Area.
During the training, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neeniibari Zabbey, explained that livelihood training is a critical component of the clean-up exercise and. that the collaboration with Dana Airline has created an open door in the areas of skills acquisition, and employment in the aviation industry for the youths.
He added that it was also an avenue to showcase dedication and passion where 19 Ogonis have been certified by the Civil Aviation Authority.
While thanking the Minister of Environment for support, Prof Zabbey expressed satisfaction over the process of the competition tagging it “fair and transparent.”
In a goodwill message, His Majesty, Gbenemene Suanu Baridam expressed optimism as youths get the opportunity to work in the aviation industry and contribute their quota to the development of Ogoniland.
He said “Sponsoring a cabin crew recruitment exercise is a way of giving back to the community and empowering the youth is a commendable initiative by HYPREP.
“HYPREP is not only supporting the professional development of individuals but also contributing to the economic empowerment and growth of the people.
HYPREP is investing in the future of the community,” he explained.
He further urged NNPC to play their part in the contribution to HYPREP so that they can be able to do more for the people, especially the pursuit of oversea education of Ogoni people.
Comrade Celestine Akpobari, who was also part of HYPREP governing council reminded beneficiaries of the countless struggles, agitations and sacrifices that gave birth to the clean up, and also commended HYPREP.
He further pleaded with the Federal Government to contribute to the clean up so that HYPREP can also venture into other livelihood programs, such as the opportunity of schooling outside Nigeria , but stressed that the electrification project should reach every affected community.
Egnr. Clark Ekiyokenegha Didi, a representative of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), commended HYPREP for the laudable efforts in training the youth in the aviation industry, pointing out that livelihood is one of the key recommendations of UNEP reports.
He however noted that publicity is inadequate as Ogoni people are yet to understand and know what HYPREP is doing, and called for more dissemination of information. “We want to see the products of HYPREP everywhere not only in the airline,” he said.
Earlier, the CEO of Cabin Training Institute, Katheryn Tsaro Lademo maintained that they want more Ogonis to be in the available industries hence she was convinced to seek HYPREP collaboration where Ogoni sons and daughters can venture into the cabin crew job placement.
“Those trained will be employed by Dana with some of the best pilots in the world” she stated.
The Human Resources Manager of Dana Airline, Emegha Clinton, urged Ogoni youths to seek more skills as it will secure them jobs in the industry.
One of the successful candidates and winner of the recruitment exercise, Oyeomah Constance, thanked HYPREP for the training and the employment opportunity in the aviation industry.
