Amanze ChinonyeThe Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration) Coppercrux Limited, on Monday in Port Harcourt flagged off a five-day awareness and capacity-building workshop for youths in the South-South region on compressed natural gas (CNG) technologies and the associated value chains.
Day one of the training featured sessions on “Introduction to CNG and Energy Transition: Awareness, Importance and Benefits,” “Presidential CNG Initiative: An Overview,” and “Economic Opportunities for Youths in the Green Energy Sector,” with interactive segments allowing participants to engage directly with facilitators.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the programme as strategically important to the Board’s mandate of capacity building and its role in the implementation of the Presidential CNG Initiative part of the Federal Government’s drive for energy security, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
He urged the 50 participants to maximize the training, noting that CNG, as a relatively new energy source in Nigeria, offers enormous opportunities that could transform individual lives and spur wider economic growth. Represented by Mr. Kingsley Neyin, Deputy Manager, Ogbe added that the workshop would expose participants to industry experts and practices that could prepare them for careers in the oil and gas sector.
“Some will seek employment and others could take off as entrepreneurs,” he said, urging them to register their newly acquired skills and capacities on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS).
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Professor Bayawa Muhammad of the Department of Energy and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, delivered the first lecture on “Introduction to CNG and Energy Transition,” stressing that CNG represents a safe and viable transition fuel in the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables. He highlighted its benefits, including environmental sustainability, lower maintenance costs, and engine efficiency.
Dr. Dagwon Y. Wang, an associate professor at ANAN University, Plateau State, provided an overview of the Presidential CNG Initiative, noting its goals of cutting emissions, creating jobs, and reducing transport costs. He disclosed that trainees would also gain practical exposure in conversion centres to deepen their understanding of the CNG value chain.
Another facilitator, Mr. Adejo Joshua, outlined the economic opportunities available to youths in the green energy subsector, ranging from CNG cylinder and kit manufacturing to vehicle engine conversion, sales, servicing, and IT solutions. He stressed that beyond climate benefits, “green energy is more than just a climate solution; it’s a youth empowerment accelerator.”
A participant, Mrs. Eniola Shittu, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB, saying the workshop “takes us through a world of possibilities.”
By equipping young people with the skills to tap into the CNG value chain, the NCDMB is not only investing in individual futures but also laying the foundation for Nigeria’s broader energy transition.
For a country grappling with unemployment, rising fuel costs, and environmental concerns, the initiative signals a pathway where youth empowerment, clean energy, and economic growth intersect showing that Nigeria’s future may well be driven by gas-powered innovation.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
