Chevron Nigeria expresses commitment to agribusiness

STAR Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of Chevron Nigeria has expressed its commitment to enhance Agricultural business in Nigeria, just as it recently sponsored the training of 50 youths in Oyo State for a three months course at the OFFERCentre institute of Agriculture, Oluponna, Osun State.

This was disclosed by the Chairman, Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited, Mr Lanre Kalejaiye, who was represented by the acting Director, Deep Water and Product Sharing Contract, (DW and PSC) Chevron, Mike Kabi, during the valedictory ceremony of the first set of capacity building graduating students at the centre, recently.

From 500 applicants, the institute was able to select 50 young men and women to undergo a three month training sponsored by Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited, and others like Lukoil Oil Company, Oil and Gas Nigeria limited among others.

The Acting Director, DW and PSC, Kabi said “today’s graduation ceremony in Agriculture and catering is another demonstration of the Co-venturers’ determined efforts to enhance the capacity building of Nigerians and improve agriculture.

“We believe it will have a tremendous impact on the youths in Oyo state through employment creation, poverty reduction, and livelihood improvement as well as support the development of rural-based cottage industries and development of the local economy.”

In his address, the Rector of the institute, Reverend Father Macarius Olatunji said the occasion is a celebration of the virtue of hope as ignited in the heart of the young mean and women who had just graduated from the institute.

He said “OFERCentre Institute of Agriculture has come to stay and is getting better and stronger to make meaningful contributions to the wellbeing of our beloved country.”

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Oyo state, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi, described the event as a pragmatic approach towards enhancing food production, poverty alleviation and job creation among other things.

“The need to provide the necessary guidance and support for our youths cannot be over emphasized. This programme without doubt represents the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan’s determination to give unflinching support to the development of agriculture, and acquisition of skills for people in Nigeria as a whole.