In a significant stride towards lifetime empowerment, youths of Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency are witnessing a transformative training programme that will equip them with professional certifications in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) by their federal representative, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh.
The programme, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), is designed to provide comprehensive HSE training and certification highly regarded in the oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing industries.
As the training progamme entered its Day-2 on Tuesday, it is expected to position the participants for enhanced employment opportunities and career advancement.
Dr. Ubong Inyang, the Training Advisor in Akwa Ibom and a member of the ISPON Governing Board, said “This training stems from Hon. Okpolupm Etteh’s commitment to giving back to his constituents. ISPON, as a professional body and regulator in HSE, is collaborating with him and the National Productivity Centre (NPC), the federal government coordinating agency for this programme, to provide technical support in HSE to the constituents of Eket Federal Constituency.”
“It is a purely professional certification training designed to prepare participants for roles as safety officers, Fire Watch personnel, and Authorized Gas Testers (AGT) in both the private and public sectors. We understand that capacity building and empowerment are crucial for the youth of this constituency, and one way to achieve this is by providing training and equipping them with relevant certifications that will enhance their job prospects in the oil and gas industry, as well as other sectors,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr. Soyeye Akin, the Executive Director of Merit-Plus Integrated Services and Global Resources Limited and consultant designated by NPC, stressed the importance of HSE, pointing out that “HSE is a professional discipline that equips people with the knowledge of how to keep our environment safe.”
He explained that “the programme was brought to Eket because it was facilitated by Hon. Okpolupm Etteh. He deliberately brought the programme to the federal constituency to position the youths of the constituency for upcoming opportunities in the oil and gas sector. It is well known that the area has several oil and gas companies, and this training will give its beneficiaries a competitive advantage by enabling them to secure positions as safety officers in the industry. The training simply empowers the youths to be employable.”
In his remarks, the Constituency Liaison Officer, Mr. Samuel Ukwat, commended Hon. Etteh for his foresight and for successfully complementing the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, emphasizing that entrepreneurial development and education are key.
He hinted that “the training will be done in batches of 50, and this is the first batch. The training covers general HSE, HSE Level 3, Fire Watch, and Authorized Gas Testing (AGT) for graduates and non-graduates. This is a significant advantage for youths of the area, as they will be gainfully employed at the end of the program.”
A participant at the training, Mr. Cyril Akpan from ONNA L.G.A., said he was being trained as a fire watchman and gas tester professional.
“I am grateful to be among those selected for this training. This is a once-in-a-lifetime program, and the benefits for me are enormous. People pay huge amounts of money to acquire this training, but Hon. Etteh has made it free of charge for us. To me, he is God-sent to the youth of Eket Federal Constituency. The training will help reduce vices among the youth,” he added.
While commending the federal lawmaker, another participant in the training, Mr. Daniel Ette from Ibeno L.G.A, said, “I appreciate Hon. Etteh for making this training a reality by prioritizing youth safety and professionalism. This training has engaged the youths of the Federal Constituency. As we continue, more youths will be engaged, and they will positively impact our communities.”
Within the stretch of the programme, participants will acquire crucial knowledge in risk assessment, safety management, and environmental protection—skills that are increasingly in demand by employers. The training also aligns with global safety standards, ensuring that the youths are not only employable locally but can also compete on an international scale.
As the training progresses, it is expected to inspire a new generation of safety-conscious professionals ready to make significant contributions to the workforce of Akwa Ibom vis-à-vis Nigeria and the world at large.
Media Unit
Office of the Honourable Member
Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency
