Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited (KRPC), has targeted the continued training of youths from host community as part its corporate social responsibility in promoting peace and security in Kaduna State.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of its Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (YESAP), the Managing Director Engineer Adewale Ladenegan, on Tuesday in Kaduna, expressed KRPC managements resolve to ensure that youths unemployment with its attendance negative impact on peace, security, economic and social activities are reduced significantly within its host communities.

“KRPC management has assured of its determination to empower youths of the society without bias to their ethnic, religious or social status in order to enable them contribute to the development of the state and the nation at large,” he said.

Represented by the Executive Director Operations (EDO), Engineer Bukar Abba, the MD said in the ninth edition, KRPC has engaged another batch of 100 youths selected from different parts of the host communities for the journey to self-reliance.

In his address, the Executive Director Services, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, said to achieve YESAP objective, KRPC has been partnering with reputable consultants namely: National Directorate of Employment, Kaduna Polytechnic, Ahmadu Bello University's College of Agriculture, Mandi; Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Exhale Institute of Beauty and Cosmetology and Top Desk International Limited.

“Due to prevailing economic situation in the country, the duration of the programme has been reduced from the traditional six months to three months. We however assured all that the quality of the programme will not only be able to attain proficiency in their chosen vocational skills, but also learn some fundamental life skills that would positively remould their character,” he said.

The EDS said that, all necessary arrangements have been made to take care of the welfare of participants in order to make life and learning easy for them for the duration of the programme as they would be provided with transportation, feeding as well as medical facilities.

Mr. Idris added that, the participants are drawn from the Company's immediate host communities through their respective leaders and have fulfilled the required eligibility criteria, which included oral, written and medical evaluations.

Representative of the host community and Co-Chairman of Joint Community Relations Committee (J.CRC) Stephen Yarima Ibrahim said the host community will continue to support and will work together to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for the refinery to function.

“We, the entire host community are highly pleased with the commitment of the management of KRPC over this programme,” he said.

He further stated that, this service is not only to cement their cordial relationship but to enhance and guarantee security and safety within the environment the refinery carry out its operation.

In his vote of thanks, the Class Governor of participants of the ninth edition, Abbas Ibrahim, promised to be of good conduct “and make our benefactor KRPC/NNPC proud.”

“I want to appreciate the Royal fathers who nominated us for this noble programme. We are also grateful to the management of KRPC for giving us this golden opportunity to enhance our community and better our lives,” he said.

•Photo shows a cross section of dignitaries and participants at the KRPC/NNPC Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition (YESAP) opening ceremony, Tuesday in Kaduna.

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