Oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited has trained thirty Journalists of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,(NUJ), Lagos State Council.
The one-day capacity building held at the Airport hotel Ikeja had as its Theme: "Driving Nigeria's Business & Economy: The Media Perspective".
Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi commended Chevron Nigeria for deeming it fit to train journalists for the second time in the last 8 months.
"It is a great pleasure and our deep gratitude that the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited has volunteered to sponsor this laudable training programme to widen our horizon of business and economy of the nation for the second year'.
According to Ajayi, the training is coming up at a very auspicious time that the economy of the nation and business climate is undergoing surgery and rejuvenation by the Federal Government.
'It has, therefore, become imperative to collate all shades of opinion, views on how to bring the Nigerian economy back on track, he said'.
He said the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited no doubt is passionate about the transformation of the nation's economy, hence one of the reasons why this training programme is being organised.
The NUJ Boss noted that experts are worried about petroleum products pricing, Foreign Exchange volatility, imports and exports regime, stock market and the need for realistic budget system.
In his remarks, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr.Esimaje Brikinn, who was represented by the Manager Communications, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr.Victor Anyaegbudike, lauded Journalists for their huge sacrifices.
"Chevron Nigeria Limited embarked on this partnership as we believe in the value derivable from developing human capital.
He stated that the maiden edition of this programme took place last year across three states of the nation: Lagos, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory, in which over 90 journalists participated in the training which was geared towards building the capacity of media practitioners to enhance their skills and abilities to perform their duties.
"As members of the fourth estate of the realm, your role as agenda-setters and opinion moulders cannot be over-emphasized. I want to thank you for your impactful role in reporting the oil and gas industry and providing effective perspectives to the complex industry operations'.
Journalists were exposed to topics such as Tapping the Potential of Oil & Gas Sector of the Nigerian Economy, Maximising the Gains of Nigeria's Blue Economy,
Nigeria's Economy through Money & Capital Markets and Towards Nigeria's Realistic Budget.
Maritime Expert Dr.Ademola Irinyemi unfolded untapped opportunities in the Blue Economy.
Dr.Irinyemi called for structural reforms, infrastructure investment, human capital development and the use of Technology and Innovation if we must get it right as a country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Emeka Ugwuanyi, CEO, Profagos Digital LTD who described the oil and gas sector as the heartbeat of Nigeria's economy, said Nigeria requires investments in its oil and gas sector by both foreign and local investors to maximise value from the sector.
Mr.Ugwuanyi whilst commending Chevron Nigeria for eliminated Gas flaring from its operation, identified oil theft and pipeline vandalism, deficient infrastructure, policy and regulatory instability and lack of governance and transparency as some of the challenges bedeviling Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
On his part, Mr.Olusegun Aribike, FNGE, said for Nigeria to have a realistic budget, such budget must be tied to certain projects that will bring about economic development such as roads, schools, hospitals, water amongst others.
He urged government to be deliberate in putting the interest of the citizenry into consideration when planning a realistic budget, and not embark on white elephant projects.
Mr. Blessing Anaro, Editor Southern Operations, Blueprint Newspaper disclosed that money and capital markets can help grow the economy depending on government policies and sincerity.
"Government cannot continue to raise funds, either locally or internationally for particular projects and spend the money recklessly on other things.
Joy Emeghara, Communications Officer Chevron was also in attendance.
Comments
Post a Comment