NEWS
NCDMB commences ASNT Level III Training & Certification in Nigeria
Modupe ASUDO
PORT-HARCOURT -THE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has flagged off the training of 30 Trainees for the maiden American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, (ASNT) Level III Training and Certification in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary was represented at the ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday by the General Manager, Capacity Building Division of the Board, Dr. Ama Ikuru.
He disclosed that the training was informed by the need to urgently address the existing critical gaps in the ASNT Level III professionals in-country, adding that the Board is committed to train and certify 100 Nigerians in that category.
Engr. Wabote hinted that Nigeria currently has just about 11 ASNT Level II inspectors, despite the fact that Non-Destructive Testing is a high value adding activity with versatile applications in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors. He said the intent of the training is to specifically address existing in-country gaps, reduce capital flight resulting from the engagement of expatriates for the provision of Non-Destructive Testing, (NDT) and related professional services, and to also drive train-the –trainer strategy to create viable and robust pool of NDT professionals in-country.
Other objectives of the training he also enumerated, are to enhance the professionalism and competitiveness of Nigerians in the provision of NDT and related services in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors, drive the domiciliation of NDT services in-country, increase local participation and retention of industry spends in the NDT value chain and further the attainment of the goals and aspirations of the NOGICD Act of 2010 and the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Road Map.
The Nigerian Content Chieftain commended two reputable companies charged with the responsibility to deliver the training, namely: Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited and Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited. He stated that both companies are specialists with remarkable experience in the provision of NDT training and services, and members of the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) which is a leading certifying entity in NDT profession globally.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the President of the Association of Non-Destructive Testing Practitioners (ANTEP), HRH Chief (Sir) Rowland Nze felicitated the Executive Secretary, Engr. Wabote on his recent reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. Chief Nze commended the Board’s capacity building initiative which has changed the narrative of quality control processes in the oil and gas industry by assuring an advanced level of participation of Nigerians in QA/QC and NDT protocols of the industry.
The ANTEP President asserted that the Board through its partnership with the Association has empowered the practice of NDT in the Nigerian oil and gas space, noting that some companies now have investments in both advanced equipment and human resources. He added that local practitioners had invested with the confidence that first consideration will be given the Association for all NDT jobs in Nigeria.
The Royal Father wrapped up his address by requesting the National Assembly to reconsider the current proposal to increase the percentage of contribution to the Local Content Fund from one percent to two percent. He said such an amendment may have the unpleasant consequences of increasing the burden of an already stretched oil industry economy and may impact negatively the government’s plan to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria and by extension affect local practitioners like ANTEP companies.
In their comments, the chief executive of Jimcol Resources Nigeria Limited, Engr. Ndubuisi Chijioke and his counterpart, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi of Inspection & Tests Nigeria Limited both expressed delight for the Board’s ambitious initiative to fill the skill gap in the NDT industry. Both companies did not hide their excitement by the opportunity to work with NCDMB and ANTEP in the human capacity development project to train and qualify 30 Nigerian NDT personnel to ASNT Level III.
They reiterated the significance of the project that the Board has set out to increase local capacity at this skill level by over 200 percent and potentially by more than 700 percent when the 100 Level II NDT inspectors are finally trained and certified as promised by the Board.
The high point of the kick-off ceremony was a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities of both companies by the General Manager, Capacity Building Division, Dr. Ama Ikuru, accompanied by the executive members of ANTEP and other industry stakeholders.
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has announced that the portal for student loan applications will officially open on May 24, 2024.
This development is part of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund’s efforts to enhance access to higher education, as stated by the Fund’s media lead, Nasir Ayantogo, on Thursday night.
According to Ayantogo, the launch of the application portal is a significant step in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing accessible and inclusive education for Nigerian students.
This initiative follows the signing of the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, by President Tinubu on June 12, 2023 which aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged students pursuing higher education in Nigeria.
Dele Alake, a member of the former Presidential Strategy Team, noted that this move fulfills one of President Tinubu’s key campaign promises to liberalize funding for education.
The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to handle all loan requests, grants, disbursements, and recoveries.
Initially, the government announced that the scheme would launch in September, but it faced several delays, resulting in an indefinite postponement in early March.
The Presidency attributed the delay to President Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.
Following a briefing from the NELFUND team led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, President Tinubu instructed the Fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programs.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of including those who may not seek university education, noting that skill acquisition is equally as important as earning academic degrees.
He had said, “This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.
“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,”
Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.
According to the statement, the portal features a user-friendly interface, allowing students to conveniently submit their loan applications.
The statement added, “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation. Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application.”
President Bola Tinubu received Senegal’s newly elected President, Bassirou Faye, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Faye, who arrived at 3:09 p.m., is making his first official visit to Nigeria since taking office last month.
At 44, he is the youngest president in Senegalese history, having secured a decisive victory in April’s delayed presidential election with over 54% of the vote.
More to follow……..
In the devastating arson that occurred on Wednesday during an early morning prayer in Gaza village near Gezawa in Kano State, eleven people have been confirmed dead.
The perpetrator, 38-year-old Shafiu Abubakar, set fire to a mosque amidst an inheritance dispute, trapping around 40 worshippers inside.
Rabiu Gadan, a resident of the village, disclosed that 11 individuals have tragically succumbed to the burns they suffered.
Of these victims, eight have already been laid to rest, while preparations are underway for the burial of the remaining three, scheduled for Thursday.
Rabiu revealed that the attack was not the first instance of violence involving Shafiu. Previously, he had assaulted two of his older brothers and then voluntarily surrendered himself to the police, claiming responsibility for their deaths.
Another resident, Malam Garba, said, “He has always been troubled, but when he challenged his family to give him his portion of the inheritance, they did.
“He was even taken to a mental institution once when he attacked his relatives but he was given a clean bill of health. So, he was clearly in his right mind when he set the fire, two of his uncles died and we buried them yesterday already.”
According to BIZTELLERS reports, the assailant is currently in police custody, where he has confessed to his actions.
He cited frustration with the way some of the victims handled the inheritance sharing as his motive. Despite warning his family members to stop maltreating him, he claimed his pleas were ignored.
He however expressed no regret for his actions.
Residents confirmed the existence of an inheritance dispute within the family, but the precise nature of the disagreement remained unclear.
At the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, where the injured were rushed for treatment, distraught relatives anxiously awaited news about the condition of their loved ones.
Maijida, one of the distressed relatives, shared her heartache, expressing fear over the condition of her father and brothers.
“My father and two brothers are severely injured and I was told some people have died already, what will I do if I lose them, I will be left all alone.” she lamented.
One of the residents that attempted to rescue the victims, Musa Muhammad Gadan said, “I was late going to the prayers, but as I was rushing to the mosque, I heard a blasting noise and then I heard people screaming so I rushed over, the flames had engulfed the building, I and some others tried to rescue them and that is how I sustained burns on my arms.
During a visit to the victims at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Deputy Inspector General of Police AIG Umar Mamman Sanda, in charge of Zone 1 in Kano, confirmed the devastating loss of eight lives on Wednesday.
He was accompanied by a delegation of security personnel, including the Commissioner of Police in the state and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said, “The suspect was said to be not satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that. He is presently with us and is giving useful information. It is really unfortunate.”
JUST IN: FG Announces Launch Date For Student Loan Applications
ASUU Sets 2-Week Deadline, Threatens Strike Over Unpaid Salaries
JUST IN: Tinubu Welcomes Senegal’s Youngest President At Villa
Jay-Z Maintains Low Profile Amid Diddy’s Legal Woes, Claims 50 Cent
I’ll Have Kids When I’m Ready – Burna Boy
Mohbad’s Wife Reacts To Late Husband’s Autopsy Report
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
