The Forward Operating Base, Escravos of the Nigerian Navy, “in its bid to disabuse the minds of the Niger Delta youths from illegalities and build meaningful ventures”, on Wednesday organised career talks for the youths of its host communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
The Commanding Officer of the FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, disclosed that “the initiative is in furtherance of the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Base operational mandates under Operation DELTA SANITY II”.
The programme was organised alongside Medical and Educational rhapsodies at Madangho Community.
According to the Commanding Officer of the FOB Escravos, “the new initiative by the Base aims to disabuse the minds of the youth from illegalities and build meaningful ventures”.
Addressing journalists at the venue of the exercise, Okoloagu said, “The Base decided to embark on the programmes as a way of showing appreciation to the host communities”.
He said, “The FOB Escravos has enjoyed a robust relationship with the host communities over the years and wishes to sustain the unity.”
He spoke further, “The career talk being conducted in collaboration with the Kedahan Services Limited Training School focuses on various career and business opportunities as well as paths.
“The initiative will help to broaden the horizon of the youth toward a productive future, disabuse their minds from criminalities and contribute to nation building”
The Commanding Officer, FOB Escravos, expressed hope that the initiatives would further endear the Nigerian Navy to the populace and, by implication, improve the existing cooperation between the host communities and the Base.
He added that the gesture would enhance the realisation of the strategic directives of the CNS to root out all forms of illegalities within the maritime environment.
“It is equally expected that this will support efforts geared towards increasing crude oil production thereby enhancing Nigeria’s economic prosperity,” Okoloagu said.
The medical rhapsody featured the provision of treated mosquito net, eye glasses, health education, consultation, medications and others.
The educational rhapsody also featured the provision of school bags, mathematical sets and other writing materials to the school pupils.
Also speaking, the Project Manager, Kedahan Services Limited Training School, Rosemary Imhnanwa thanked the Nigerian Navy for the initiative.
Imhnanwa said that the initiative would change the perception of the locals who, according to her, believed that the government should do everything for them.
“From the interaction we have with the community people, we have been able to change the narratives that government should provide all their needs.
“There are solutions to every problem, so they should be focusing on the opportunities in any problem to better the lives,” she said.
Imhnanwa, who described the gesture as a fantastic initiative by the Nigerian Navy, appealed to them to keep it going.
She noted that with the gradual changes in the narratives, the youth would be better informed and be successful in life.
On his part, Mr Solomon Uwawa, leader of the Madangho Community, thanked the Navy for the gesture and expressed hope that the career talk would help to change the perception of the youth for the better.
Aside from Madangho, the indigenes of Arunton, Ajudaigbo, and Ogidigben Communities also participated in the exercise.