HYPREP HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT: ANOTHER 100 OGONI YOUTHS START TRAINING IN MECHATRONICS
In a further demonstration of its commitment to prioritising human capacity development for youths and women in Ogoni, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commenced Mechatronics training for 100 beneficiaries.
The high-demand skill training, which is part of HYPREP’s sustainable livelihood initiative, was held on 20th January 2026 at the Offshore Technology Institute, Uniport, with the Vice Chancellor of Uniport, Prof, Owunari A. Georgewill, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, represented by the Director, Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, HRH(Mene) Kadilo Kabari, Member of the Uniport Governing Council and Paramount Ruler of Ancient Barako Community, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, Renaissance Africa Energy Company/JV Representative in HYPREP, along side other top dignitaries in attendance.
Declaring the training open, Prof Zabbey maintained that HYPREP is making good its commitment to moving from low- to high-end skills, as evidenced by the rollout of 10 of these this year, including the mechatronics training, adding that the Project is dedicated to giving the best to the people of Ogoni.
This, the PC stressed, informed the choices of the University of Port Harcourt’s Offshore Technology Institute and a competent facilitator for the training, a perfect blend of best practice, industry experience and academics, while enjoining the trainees to take the training seriously.
Earlier in his speech, Prof. Georgewill extolled HYPREP for the gesture, noting that the training will equip the trainees with skills that are globally relevant and economically viable, and urging them to leverage the opportunity by showing commitment to learning.
The training Consultant, Mr Makozi Samuel (MD/CEO), Competent Samco Technical Nigeria Limited, explained that the 4-month training will involve theoretical and hands-on sessions. Among other deliverables, the training will foster the capacity for creative solutions to complex engineering challenges; develop trainees’ abilities to manage teams and projects in modern digital Oil & Gas industries; and inculcate in the trainees the need to adhere to safety regulations, environmental standards, and ethical guidelines in engineering practice.
In their goodwill messages, HRH Mene Kabari and Engr Igbinomwanhia highlighted the enormous opportunities and prospects the skill offers. They re-echoed the charge to trainees to make the most of the opportunity. Engr Igbinomwanhia reiterated Renaissance’s commitment to the Ogoni Cleanup Programme and its support for HYPREP’s human capacity development initiatives.
Prof Bourdillon O. Omijeh, National Coordinator Embedded AI Project in Nigeria and Professional Mentor for the HYPREP Mechanic Programme, delivered the Orientation Keynote Lecture on the Anatomy of Mechatronics in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, is elated that the training has commenced and assured that HYPREP will continue to place a premium on capacity development and value addition for Ogoni through these high-demand skills, which will better position the people for emerging industry demands.
The 100 beneficiaries for the Mechatronics training were selected through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) administered in February 2023. This year, HYPREP will be conducting training in other high-demand skill areas, including full-stack development, GIS and remote sensing, cybersecurity, rope access, commercial diving/underwater welding, mud logging, and agric-skill enhancement. Further information on the selection criteria will be available on the Project’s various communication channels
