A philanthropist, Darlington Tobin has harped on the need to bridge the skills gap in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State in order to shape the future of the area positively.

Tobin came out with this on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 during the graduation ceremony for 250 beneficiaries of the Ibani-Se Training Scheme organized by the Captain Tobin Foundation in Bonny, Rivers State.

He described the occasion as “momentous”, congratulating the graduands on their success in the programme wherein they were trained on pipe insulation and tin smithing.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today on this momentous occasion – the graduation ceremony for our talented trainees in pipe insulation and tin smithing under the newly approved lbani-Se Training Scheme, an initiative graciously endorsed by His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, Edward I, Perekule XI, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom.”

Tobin, who is also the Chairman of the Tobin Konibo-ye-Awanta House of Finima in Grand Bonny Kingdom, attributed the success of the programme to the collective efforts of concerned stakeholders, noting that their commitment and resources invested contributed to the success of the programme.

“Today, we celebrate not only the achievements of our graduates but also the collective effort and dedication that have brought us to this day.”

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our key stakeholders; the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Center led by our own Amasenibo Louis Banigo, trainers, Emmaida Integrated Services Limited, industry partners, and supporters, who have contributed to the success of this programme.”

“Your commitment and resources have been instrumental in shaping the future of these young professionals.”

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre, Louis Banigo expressed his gratitude to Darlington Tobin for his magnanimity towards bridging the skills gap among the youths, praying God Almighty to continue to enarmour him with grace to do more.

“I’m very delighted to see a brother doing this. Some of you don’t know him, he is of the Boys Brigade and for a long time he has been practicing how to gather youths. The captain is from Boys Brigade. Today he is a knight of St. Christopher.”

“So, I want to say a very big thank you to you, Sir. My heart, my mind and my prayers are with you as you continue in this line of your endeavour and I pray that nothing whatsoever will deter you from continuing in this endeavour that will position our people to get the required skills for the job.”

He encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity they have been given to improve their lives, noting that “it is always difficult to find people to work with”, stressing that various aspects of the world of work require certain skills sets, especially, the various construction projects in Bonny Island.   

On his part, President of Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF), Jude Pepple also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Tobin for the initiative, observing that the collaborative effort is yielding awesome results, advising the beneficiaries to leverage the opportunity to grow their skill sets as skills are today’s critical and strategy leverage in the world of work.  

“At all times, he has demonstrated the kindness to reach out. For him and all stakeholders and the BIRC, it’s a collective action. We are trying to position our people to get this opportunity. The Train 7 has come and gone, so we need to prepare. His foundation has done this thing timely. We can’t thank him enough for making himself available to reach out, to give out.”

“For you graduates, I think you have taken time to go through this not because you don’t have other things to do, not because you can’t and hustle for other things to feed yourself but you feel this training is very important and you have made yourself available.”

“It is not just going to school but acquiring skills is very much important. The skills will position you. One thing I can assure you is that the leadership of the BIRC finds it very interesting if you have a skill. The skills are the most important thing.”   

The Ibani-Se Training Scheme, which is the brainchild of the Captain Tobin Foundation, is dedicated to training, empowering and nurturing talented individuals by providing them with the necessary tools for success.