The operator of the SPDC Joint Venture, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), has opened an animation academy valued at around N100 million in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for training of Niger Delta youths in 3D Animation, look development and visual effects.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the director and country head of corporate relations of SPDC, Igo Weli, explained that the academy is built to support in bridging identified gaps in knowledge and skills that will enable Niger Delta youths to participate fully in the new opportunities that are available in digital technology.
Weli, who was represented by the oil firm’s corporate relations manager for project and opportunities, Hope Nuka, said that Shell believes that digitalisation will enable billions in incremental value creation over the coming years and as such, the company is happy to partner with others to offer the benefit of evolving fields in technology to youths in the Nigeria’s oil rich region.
Orient Energy Review gathered that SPDC executed the project in partnership with the Foundation for Multimedia Creativity and Innovation (FMCI), a non-governmental organisation.
Weli said that entrepreneurial skills development would be a core part of the curriculum of the academy.
The director added that for sustainability, the project incorporated a multimedia creative hub to meet corporate and individual needs in digital technology services.
Also speaking, the group general manager of the National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS), which is the investment arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr. Bala Wunti, who was represented by the deputy manager of external affairs of the company, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, said that the 21st century is the era of digital growth with various successes and impacts being made in the Information and Technology space globally.
According to Wunti, the academy would provide great self-employment opportunities for youths in River State and the Niger Delta in general. Mr. also said that the opportunities would further produce a lot of professionals in the multimedia services sector which is still relatively new.
In addition, the chief executive officer of the Foundation for Multimedia Creativity and Innovation (FMCI), Mr. Nimi Amachree, emphasized that admission into FMCI is open to all youths in the Niger Delta region.
He therefore called on other corporate organisations in the region to follow the example set by the SPDC joint venture initiative by supporting the vision aimed at equipping youths with multimedia skills that are needed in many industries across the globe including 3D manufacturing.
Mr. Amachree also said that FCMI was working to have its graduates absorbed by its partner production company, Light Era Animation and VFX Studios.
Be the first to know when we publish an update
