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.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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