By Emmanuel Ogoigbe
EFFURUN, DELTA STATE — The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, with both parties expressing commitment to deepening collaboration in the areas of public communication, information dissemination and institutional development.
The visit, led by the Chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Chief Okakuro Akpokona Omafuaire, was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and the institute while fostering constructive engagement for mutual growth and national development.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Akpokona highlighted the critical role of the media in promoting transparency, public enlightenment and accountability, stressing the importance of sustained interaction between journalists and educational institutions.
He commended PTI for its significant contributions to manpower development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and reaffirmed the commitment of journalists in the chapel to balanced, objective and professional reportage of the institute’s activities and achievements.
Responding, the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Engr. Dr. Samuel E. Onoji, welcomed the delegation and described the media as a vital partner in projecting the programmes, accomplishments and strategic vision of the institution.
Dr. Onoji assured the visiting journalists of PTI’s readiness to maintain cordial relations with the media and pledged stronger collaboration aimed at enhancing public understanding of the institute’s mandate and contributions to national development.
The PTI principal also provided a brief overview of the institute’s history, noting that it was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide the skilled technical manpower required by the nation’s oil and gas sector and to support Nigeria’s obligations as a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
According to him, PTI has over the years grown into one of Africa’s leading specialised oil and gas training institutions, producing technicians, technologists and industry professionals through its diploma, certificate and specialised training programmes.
He emphasized that maintaining a productive relationship with the media remains essential for showcasing the institute’s achievements, innovations and future initiatives to the public.
The courtesy visit concluded with a group photograph and renewed assurances from both the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and PTI management to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of shared objectives of development, effective communication and public service.
