EFCMP Chairman Commends Azimarine MD for Job Creation, Seeks Strategic Partnership

EFCMP Chairman Commends Azimarine MD for Job Creation, Seeks Strategic Partnership

…As Azimarine Plans Skills Training and Employment Opportunities for EFCMP Members

The Chairman of the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals Forum (EFCMP), Comrade Enobong Nsimah, has commended the Managing Director of Azimarine, Engr. Michael Abakam, for his contributions to economic development, job creation and human capital development within Eket Federal Constituency.

Nsimah made the commendation on Monday, October 5, 2026, when he led the members of EFCMP on a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of Azimarine in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCMP Chairman described Azimarine as an indigenous enterprise playing an increasingly significant role in stimulating economic activities and creating opportunities for people within the constituency and beyond.

He particularly acknowledged Engr. Abakam’s efforts in providing employment opportunities and supporting the development of local capacity, describing such interventions as important contributions to sustainable community development.

Nsimah called on Azimarine to sustain and expand its investment in human capital and local content development, while expressing the readiness of EFCMP to establish a mutually beneficial partnership with the company.

According to him, the media professionals’ body is prepared to support Azimarine through strategic communication, responsible publicity and public-interest advocacy aimed at projecting the company’s legitimate activities, achievements, corporate social responsibility initiatives and contributions to society.

He noted that such a partnership would not only enhance public awareness of the company’s activities but also promote stronger relationships between the company, host communities and other stakeholders.

The EFCMP Chairman further appealed to Engr. Abakam, whom he described as an important stakeholder in Eket Federal Constituency, to lend his voice and influence to initiatives promoting peace, unity, mutual respect and constructive cooperation among the four Local Government Areas that constitute the federal constituency—Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and ONNA.

He stressed that sustainable development could only be achieved when communities and stakeholders prioritise common interests above divisions, adding that the people of the constituency must increasingly see themselves as partners in a shared development agenda.

Nsimah also appealed to Azimarine to consider qualified members of EFCMP with relevant professional expertise, particularly those with experience in the oil and gas industry, whenever employment, training, consultancy and other professional opportunities become available.

He emphasised that such opportunities would contribute to strengthening local capacity and ensuring that qualified professionals within the constituency are meaningfully integrated into the expanding economic opportunities within the region.

While expressing appreciation to the management of Azimarine for receiving the EFCMP delegation, Nsimah encouraged the company to continue to deepen its engagement with the people and communities of the federal constituency.

Responding, the Managing Director of Azimarine, Engr. Michael Abakam, challenged young Nigerians to move beyond the traditional description of youths as “leaders of tomorrow” and begin to prepare themselves today for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional responsibilities.

Abakam emphasised the importance of practical skills, continuous learning, personal initiative and collaboration, stressing that academic qualifications alone may no longer be sufficient to guarantee professional success in an increasingly competitive economy.

He encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities to acquire vocational and technical skills, including welding and other specialised trades, noting that skilled professionals can build sustainable careers and achieve significant economic independence.

The Azimarine Managing Director also urged individuals who have attained positions of influence to deliberately create opportunities for others, stressing that meaningful leadership should be measured not only by personal achievement but also by the number of people empowered and developed along the way.

Drawing from his personal experience, Abakam disclosed that despite coming from a family that owns the company, he personally underwent welding training, emphasising the value of practical knowledge and technical competence.

He maintained that vocational and technical skills should not be viewed as inferior alternatives to academic education, noting that highly skilled professionals can sometimes earn significantly more than individuals who rely solely on academic qualifications or professional titles.

Abakam therefore called for a broader societal appreciation of vocational education and skills acquisition, describing technical competence as a dignified and viable career pathway capable of transforming individuals and strengthening the local economy.

The Azimarine boss also called for stronger unity and cooperation between Eket and Ibeno, urging the people of both areas to reject unnecessary divisions and focus on areas of common interest.

He noted that the prosperity of neighbouring communities is interconnected and that development is better achieved through collaboration than confrontation.

“Eket and Ibeno should not fight ourselves. We cannot succeed when we fight ourselves. We are one, and when we are united, nothing can disrupt our growth,” he said.»

The engagement ended with a shared commitment to explore areas of collaboration, particularly in skills development, employment opportunities, professional capacity building, strategic communication, community advocacy, peace-building and sustainable development within Eket Federal Constituency.