Chief Lesi Maol, President of the KAGOTE and Chief Executive Officer of Giolee Global Resources Limited, has launched a specialised Wellhead Christmas Tree Maintenance Training Programme for Ogoni youths, describing the initiative as a strategic investment aimed at developing indigenous oilfield experts capable of competing in the global oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held on Monday at the premises of Giolee Global Resources Limited, Chief Maol said the programme was conceived to equip young people with practical and internationally relevant technical skills that would enable them secure meaningful employment and contribute to the development of the oil and gas sector.
He explained that the training, which attracted about 50 beneficiaries drawn from across Ogoniland, represents a huge financial commitment, stressing that the investment was driven by his desire to give back to society through sustainable human capital development rather than short-term empowerment programmes.
According to him, “I have always believed that the best way to help people is not by giving them money but by teaching them the skills that will make them independent. If you learn this trade very well, tomorrow you can train others. That is how development spreads.”
Chief Maol noted that the beneficiaries were selected through an independent and transparent process in order to eliminate sentiments and ensure that only qualified candidates emerged.
“I deliberately stayed away from the selection process because I did not want emotions or personal relationships to influence the exercise. I wanted merit, transparency and fairness,” he stated.
The KAGOTE President urged the trainees to maximise the rare opportunity by remaining disciplined and committed throughout the programme, stressing that success is achieved through hard work, dedication and continuous learning.
He encouraged them to reject the culture of dependency and embrace innovation and technical excellence, adding that Nigeria’s development depends largely on the willingness of its citizens to acquire practical skills capable of solving societal problems.
Chief Maol further said one of his long-term aspirations is to see Ogoni youths take full ownership of specialised oilfield operations currently handled by expatriates and foreign service providers.
“Tomorrow, when there is a wellhead that requires maintenance, our own people should be able to handle it professionally. We should not always depend on outsiders. That is why I have made this sacrifice,” he said.
He charged the participants to regard the programme as a life-changing opportunity capable of opening doors to careers within Nigeria and beyond, while urging them to become ambassadors of technical excellence by passing on the knowledge acquired to others.
Delivering an address, the Lead Executive Trainer and Chief Executive Officer of Rick International Services Limited and Rick WellTech UK, Chief Engr. Ramos Ihekona, commended Chief Maol for investing in the future of Ogoni youths through specialised technical education.
Ihekona explained that the training would expose participants to the fundamentals of Wellhead Christmas Tree Maintenance, a highly specialised aspect of upstream petroleum operations responsible for controlling the flow of crude oil and ensuring the safety and efficiency of oil wells.
He described the wellhead as a critical component of oil production, noting that without it, crude oil cannot be effectively controlled or produced.
According to him, the programme is designed to provide beneficiaries with internationally recognised practical knowledge that could position them for employment opportunities within the oil and gas industry.
“The success of this programme depends on the seriousness of the trainees. If they dedicate themselves to learning and mastering the skills, it will benefit them, their families and future generations,” he said.
The oilfield expert disclosed that similar specialised training ordinarily attracts fees running into thousands of dollars per participant, describing Chief Maol’s sponsorship as a significant investment in human capital development.
He advised the beneficiaries not to take the opportunity for granted but to remain focused throughout the programme.
“One day, Chief Lesi Maol should be proud to say he trained these young men and that they are making positive contributions in the oil and gas industry. That should be your goal,” Ihekona added.
The Wellhead Christmas Tree Maintenance Training Programme is expected to provide participants with practical and technical competencies in oilfield wellhead operations, maintenance procedures, safety standards and equipment handling, thereby strengthening indigenous capacity and supporting Nigeria’s local content policy in the petroleum industry.
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