The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun was established in 1973 by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the enactment of Act No. 37 of 1972, which was subsequently amended. The institute was primarily established to train indigenous middle-level manpower for the oil and gas industry. It was a prerequisite for Nigeria’s membership in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The institute, which was established to provide technical training in petroleum technology and produce competent technicians and other skilled personnel needed to run the petroleum industry, has, as of 2023, trained over 50,000 people in the oil and gas sector since its establishment in 1973.
This figure includes technologists, technicians, and other technical personnel who have been trained to meet the manpower needs of Nigeria’s petroleum industry and other allied sectors, with some trainees coming from other African countries as well.
Only recently, the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Dr Samuel Onoji, said the PTI was ready to collaborate with the Delta State Government on international oil and gas training programmes designed to equip youths with employable skills and drive economic growth in the state.
Dr Onoji, who disclosed this when he led management of the Institute on a courtesy call on the Governor at Government House, Asaba, said the Petroleum Training Institute was committed to offering discounted and subsidised international training in oil and gas.
While commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s infrastructural development drive, which he described as unprecedented in the history of the state, he said the Institute’s gesture to collaborate with the state government would significantly enhance the employability of Delta youths.
“We want to collaborate with the Delta State Government in the area of youth empowerment through discounted training so that we can take the youths out of the streets. PTI is ready to collaborate with the state government in building the capacity of Delta youths through discounted training and internationally recognised certification programmes.
“We are ready to subsidise the training programme because the youths are also our children, and many of them cannot afford to get this certification. Once they can get this certification, they can seamlessly work in any of the oil companies.
“This initiative will enhance employability, curb unemployment and position our youths for active participation in oil and gas as well as allied industries,” he added, even as he expressed appreciation to the Governor for reconnecting the electricity supply to the Institute.
Meanwhile, the Principal, who appealed to the Governor to assist the Institute in providing vehicles that would enhance its operational efficiency, invited him (the Governor) to the Institute’s International Hydrocarbons and Scientific Conference scheduled for October at the PTDF Hall, Abuja.
In his remarks, Governor Oborevwori commended PTI and the Minister of Petroleum, Sen Heineken Lokpobri, for releasing 25 hectares of land to the state government, stressing that the gesture reflected their commitment to Delta’s growth and development.
“PTI is very dear to us in Delta because it opened the door for other federal government establishments to come into our state.
We don’t take anything concerning PTI lightly. Your visit today is a demonstration of your commitment, and I assure you that this government will continue to support the Institute in all its endeavours,” the Governor said.
As part of his support, Governor Oborevwori approved the donation of a Coaster Bus and an 18-seater bus to meet the mobility needs of staff and students of the Institute, which is the foremost petroleum training institute in Africa.
In another development, Governor Oborevwori has commended the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) for its humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting widows and children of Nigeria’s fallen heroes, pledging his administration’s full support for their programmes.
The Governor gave the assurance recently when he received the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, and her delegation at Government House, Asaba.
Welcoming the team, Oborevwori described Mrs Musa as a proud daughter of Delta, recalling his long-standing relationship with the Musa family and expressed delight that she has chosen Asaba as the venue for DEPOWA’s empowerment seminar for widows drawn from Delta, Edo, Anambra and Enugu States.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you home. Your commitment to uplifting the families of our fallen heroes is deeply commendable. As a government, we are proud to be associated with initiatives that give hope, skills and opportunities to widows, helping them to build sustainable livelihoods,” the Governor said.
Oborevwori noted that his administration had only last month empowered 10,000 widows across Delta State through skills training, financial grants to enable them to start small-scale businesses and free access to medical care.
He noted that the sacrifices of fallen heroes must never be forgotten, adding that the state would continue to champion causes that secure a brighter future for their families.
Earlier, Mrs Musa said DEPOWA was a coalition of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), and Police Officers Wives Association (POWA).
She explained that the group, founded to support members whose spouses are often away on national duty, has evolved into a platform for humanitarian and development services, with widows and orphans of fallen heroes as its main beneficiaries.
Highlighting their ongoing training seminar for widows, Mrs Musa said the programme was designed to provide emotional support, empowerment opportunities, and financial literacy for participants, while easing the pain of grief and loss.
She also announced the establishment of the DEPOWA Future Leadership Academy in Abuja, set for commissioning in September 2026, which, according to her, will provide automatic scholarships for children of fallen heroes as a lasting tribute to their parents’ sacrifices.
“Your Excellency, we are profoundly grateful for your impactful youth and women empowerment initiatives, which align with our vision. With the DEPOWA Future Leadership Academy, we hope to build a living legacy for generations to come,” she said.
The visit, she noted, was also part of DEPOWA’s ongoing “Thank You Campaign”, a national initiative to celebrate and support Nigeria’s Armed Forces and Police personnel for their selfless service to the country.
