Beneficiaries of the Ogulagha Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) empowerment programme have been urged to desist from selling their starter packs as 123 youths graduated from its comprehensive vocational training programme, with a warning that selling the tools is equivalent to selling their future.

The warning took centre stage at the Graduation and Presentation of Starter Packs and Certificates ceremony at the Moms Civic Event Center, Warri, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The comprehensive vocational training programme is organized by the Ogulagha HCDT in partnership with the Renaissance Africa Energy Company—a Nigerian independent energy consortium that became the operator of Shell Petroleum Development Company's former onshore assets in Nigeria, following a landmark acquisition in March 2025.

Dignitaries at the event include Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas; Barr. Roland Ombi Esq., who represented the Chairman of Burutu LGA; Mrs. Dorcas Owhorukowho, Government Relations Adviser, Delta State; Miss Oluedon Arubi and Mr. Precious Ibekwe, Renaissance Community Relations Officer; Mr. Ishike Harry, BOT Secretary, Renaissance Africa Energy Company; community leaders from Obotobo I, Youbebe, Yokiri among other communities.

Members of the Board present include Chief Anoruse MacDonald (BOT Chairman), Chief Larry Omula Adanike, Chief Mrs. Dora Tomone, Engr. Timiyan Lelegha, Mr. Douglas Felix Ogrenye, Comrade Alex Iraiyor (Management Committee), and Lukpe Sarah Tupade (Advisory Committee).

The training, the first of its kind by the Ogulagha HCDT under the PIA, covered high-demand skills including Gele and Makeover, Plumbing, Aluminium Fabrication (Alamco), Computer Operations, and others—all aimed at empowering the youths for a self-reliant and prosperous tomorrow.

Delivering his keynote address, the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Uviejitobor, congratulated the trainees for their resilience and discipline, describing their graduation as a bold step from job-seeking to job creation.

He charged them to see the starter packs as seed capital to grow their businesses, to be good ambassadors of Ogulagha Kingdom, and to train other youths in their communities. 

He also urged them to remain focused, to be patient in building their craft, to embrace mentorship, not give up in the face of challenges, and more importantly, “Do not sell your starter packs and certificates. To sell them is to sell your future,” Uviejitobor warned.

He commended the Trust and Renaissance Africa Energy Company for the laudable partnership, noting that it aligns with the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda of youth empowerment and human capital development.

According to him, the best empowerment is not cash handouts, but equipping youths with skills that will feed them for a lifetime.

Echoing the same concern of trainees selling their starter packs, the BOT Chairman of the Ogulagha HCDT, Chief Anoruse MacDonald, recalled that under the previous GMOU model, some beneficiaries sold their starter packs, but assured that this time around, the Trust will follow up with the trainees to ensure they put their acquired skills to productive use.

Also speaking, the Ogulagha HCDT Management Committee Secretary and Coordinator, Mr. Kingsley disclosed that the Trust has put machinery in place to checkmate malpractice, including a monitoring unit that will visit beneficiaries at their various stations, alongside an engagement programme to enlighten them on the need to use the tools to improve themselves.

A beneficiary, Moses Pereke Kelly, who was trained on Aluminium Fabrication (Alamco), on behalf of other trainees, expressed his gratitude to the Trust and the Renaissance Africa Energy Company for the opportunity to become productive and to contribute to the development of the society, pledging to abide by the instructions given.

The event ended with a vote of thanks by Chief Adanike and the sharing of starter packs to beneficiaries in each category they were trained.

View photos of starter packs presentation here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F9KnrCKm9/

View photos of graduation here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DrrXg53Ar/