A total of 100 Ogoni youths have been trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts.
The training ended yesterday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator,urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who completed four months of training in script writing, film production, and makeup, are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, which aims to provide high-demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Professor Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic, sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts.
”Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry” he explained.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony, Dirty Festival, the PC stated that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, enable them to earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors and opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu, and Green War.
He enjoined them to use their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability. He urged them to ensure that Ogoni is heard correctly, speak for HYPREP, and highlight the progress in implementing the UNEP report’s recommendations.
Other speakers at the event, including the director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, HoD, Theatre Arts Department, Uniport, Chief Douglas Experience, project manager, Halibiz Consult Ltd, and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, head of sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training. They charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training (100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high-demand skill sets, viz, Seafaring (100) and Aviation (30). The project will commence training in other skill areas this year, including Mechatronics, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in 5 skill sets- Fish farming, Basic Computer Skills, Photography, Fashion and Design and Shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s inclusivity policy.
