Abuja — The Delta State government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and Loughborough College, United Kingdom, on conflict resolution in the restive Niger Delta region.

Representatives of the government and UNOPS were in Loughborough on October 29, 2009 to sign the MoU, which marked the beginning of a unique partnership between UNOPS, Nigeria Office, Delta State Government, and the college.

The college will be actively involved in the Delta State-funded Niger Delta Job Creation and Conflict Prevention Initiative in partnership with UNDP/SPDC. It is a youth empowerment project, being implemented by UNOPS to address the problem of technical skills gap, unemployment and youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

UNOPS Programme Coordinator, Mr. Wirba Alidu, explained that under the project, two more Multi-Purpose Youth Training Centres are expected to be established in the oil-rich states of Bayelsa and Rivers.

He said the training centres will specialise in training for the oil and gas industries, with core courses that would include automobile electrics and electronics technology; motor vehicle mechanics; diesel plant fitting; and welding and fabrication. The centre will also provide training in entrepreneurship; carpentry and joinery; dress-making and textile studies; hairdressing; and IT (software and hardware technology and networking).

Alidu added, "It is hoped that the project will help the Niger Delta region to respond to the growing demand for skilled workers within many of the country's growth sectors, particularly the oil and gas industry.

"It is estimated that in coming years, the country will need over 10,000 welders for the oil and gas industries alone, along with thousands of other skilled workers for the future development of the region."

He indicated that the other major objectives of the project are to integrate large numbers of restive youth back into society as agents of development and to provide a solution to youth unemployment.

Loughborough College has been selected as the sole UK FE College to support the project. It will help with staff development and training needs, student exchange programmes, as well as aiding an understanding of best practice, effective techniques for training delivery and suitable layouts for the new training centre.

The college will also help with resources and provide a linkage with City and Guilds UK. In addition to this, national and other internationally certified courses will be awarded.

Loughborough College was approached by UNOPS following an extensive investigation. This was followed by an exploratory visit by a representative from UNOPS. Having seen and examined the college's facilities, it was recommended that UNOPS and Loughborough College sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

The college principal, Jim Mutton, said: "It is a great honour for us to have been selected to be involved with this valuable project. The United Nations' overall objective for this project is to promote the advancement of human security and sustainable development through youth empowerment, job creation and conflict prevention initiatives. It makes us very proud, as a college, to be involved with a project of such magnitude.

"I'm delighted that the college, and the staff that make up the college, have been recognised at such a high level. We are absolutely committed to helping to make this project a success and look forward to the challenges and the immense satisfaction that it will bring."

Speaking on the same occasion, the Delta State Government Commissioner for Youth Development, Rev (Mrs) Omatshola Williams, thanked both UNOPS and the college officials for the initiative. She stressed the state government's willingness to work with other partners in finding solutions to the problems of youth unemployment in the Niger Delta.

"We look forward to a meaningful relationship between my Ministry, UNOPS and Loughborough College in our endeavour to find lasting solutions which will benefit the youth in Nigeria," she said.

UNOPS is the UN lead agency in project management procurement, physical infrastructure development and fund management. It has extensive experience of working in conflict and post-conflict situations, as well as emerging economies. Loughborough College is a UK FE College with an impressive track-record in sport and a lot of experience in vocational and technical education and training.