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NCDMB Rewards Winners Of 2024 Edition National Undergraduate Essay Competition
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has held the 8th Award and Prize-giving Ceremony of its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition 2024.
At the event, on Monday in Yenagoa, the NCDMB reiterated the objectives that underlie its signature events, such as competitive essaying and its twin programme the Science Quiz Competition for High School students.
In a keynote address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the Essay Competition as “one of NCDMB’s multiple interventions to lift the standard of education in Nigeria” and “to promote proficiency in writing, awareness of local content and its benefit to the national economy, and to engender citizen engagement from undergraduate level.”
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According to him, the sponsorship of the competition is in line with the Board’s mandate, which is capacity-building and local content development, and that the NCDMB understood “the need to inculcate Local Content consciousness among undergraduates in our higher institutions, to make them understand that Local Content is an economic imperative for sustainable development of our local economy, creation of job opportunities and national security.”
The NCDMB boss expressed the hope that the programme would continue to generate interest and awareness about the critical importance of the Nigerian Content law and philosophy in the oil and gas sector as a national economic agenda for job creation, poverty reduction, industrial development and inclusive economic growth.
He reiterated the Board’s commitment to capacity development of Nigerians and development of opportunities for local communities as demonstrated through the Board’s recently launched “Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative.”
The Initiative seeks to broaden the contributions of the oil and gas industry to host communities through enhanced funding for local contractors, support for basic education, and training of youths in relevant industry skills.
In regard to the topic of this year’s essay competition, “Nigerian Content and Opportunities in African Local Content Advancement,” the Executive Secretary said it was well-conceived, considering that most African countries are understudying Nigeria in the implementation of Local Content.
Engr. Ogbe also expressed satisfaction with the transparent process in selecting the winners, stating that “the renowned professors who dedicated their time and intellect to this competition” lived up to the billing.
According to him, “We have built a strong and reputable brand and every project we get involved in must be excellent, professional and world-class.”
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, described the Annual Undergraduate Essay Competition as “a competitive elite programme” designed “to promote academic excellence and to raise awareness about Nigerian Content.”
He expressed appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Ogbe, for ensuring sustenance of the programme for eight consecutive years.
In her own opening speech, the Chairperson of the occasion, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo, represented by Mrs. A. Tawari, of the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund, commended the top ten finalists for their personal qualities that brought them thus far in the competition.
She urged undergraduate students to be focused on their studies and to guard against distractions that could be destructive.
The winner of the 2024 edition of the Essay Competition was a 16-year-old 200-Level student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mr. Ojedele Jesuferanmi Emmanuel. He received a top-of-the-range HP laptop, a glass plaque, and a cash prize of N1 million.
The first runner-up was 23-year-old Miracle Chibuike Okoli. He received the same grade of HP laptop, a plaque and a sum of N700,000.
The second runner-up, 19-year-old Mary Okogbe, received N500,000, in addition to an HP laptop and a plaque.
Over one million Nigerians nationwide will receive a 10kg bag of rice each, with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) distributing the staple food as part of the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project.
The initiative, which commenced on Thursday would is estimated at a whooping cost of N16 billion.
During the flag-off of the nationwide distribution in Kano, Chairman of the Foundation, Alh Aliko Dangote, said the distribution of one million bags of 10kg rice to the poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Nigeria was in line with the core values of his businesses and the ADF.
Dangote, who was represented by his daughter, Mariam Aliko Dangote said, “This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values.”
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He highlighted that the Foundation was kicking off the distribution in Kano State, after which it will proceed to other states, assuring that all arrangements are in place to ensure the food reaches those who need it most in all the LGAs of Nigeria.
Dangote, reputed to be Africa’s wealthiest person opined that food remains a basic human necessity, and this is why the ADF adopted the practice of embarking on a food distribution programme across Nigeria.
“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state,” he added.
According to Dangote the ADF focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level.
“Your excellency, I believe that today’s event will help in tackling hunger and helping the most vulnerable people in breaking their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people. I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians. This job should not be left to the government alone, rather we need a public private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.
“I commend the government at all levels for their efforts at addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges, therefore let us support the government to achieve its target of a better life for Nigerians, “he said.
On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba K. Yusuf, who flagged off the National Food Intervention Programme commended the good gesture and said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Alh Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice will be distributed across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
He described Alh Dangote as humane, adding that: “A similar event took place last year where he personally oversaw the distribution of food stuff to the poor in this very arena.”
To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising of relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Annual National Food Intervention Project is a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
She said that Alh Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is wiped out or reduced to the minimum in Nigeria.
“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, venue of the flag off.
The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr. Mujahid Aminudeen, thanked the ADF for the initiative, urging more Nigerians to emulate Alh Dangote in the humanitarian cause.
He said the Hisbah Board will ensure that the products reach the targeted beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Ahmed, speaking on behalf of others thanked Alh Dangote for his large heart saying the gift would go a long way in reducing food pressures on them especially during the Ramadan while also praying God to continue to help him in his businesses.
Recall that the ADF has been at the forefront of tackling and ameliorating the impact of natural disasters and health challenges in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
The ADF donated N153million to boost Nigeria’s fight against Ebola Virus Disease in 2014, $3million to the African Union (AU) to help combat the scourge, and N66.66 million to install thermal scanning systems and cameras at Nigeria’s 4 international airports.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated N2billion to the CACOVID Fund, a Private Sector task force in partnership with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the sole aim of combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
In support for education, we donated a N1.2bn modern business school edifice to the Bayero University, Kano, a fully equipped 2,160-bed capacity hostel complex to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a N300 million building to University of Ibadan Business School.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, the ADF has also recorded milestones with a donation of $1million, to lift victims of two earthquakes that devastated Nepal.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is under pressure to suspend its recently introduced increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges due to the country’s worsening economic conditions.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State, raised concerns over the policy through a motion of urgent public importance.
He noted that the CBN’s directive not only increases withdrawal fees but also removes free ATM transactions for customers using other banks’ machines, adding to the financial strain on Nigerians.
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According to the new regulations, customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs will still enjoy free withdrawals.
However, those using other banks’ ATMs will now be charged N100 for withdrawals of N20,000 within a bank’s premises. At off-site ATMs, such as those in shopping malls or markets, the charge remains N100, but with an added N500 surcharge.
Onobun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argued that Nigerians are already struggling with economic difficulties, including high inflation, rising fuel costs, increased electricity tariffs, and multiple banking fees.
He warned that the additional charges could further discourage financial inclusion, particularly among low-income earners, contradicting the CBN’s own agenda.
“The banking sector continues to record significant profits, yet customers are being burdened with more charges without any improvement in service delivery or infrastructure. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he stated.
Following his motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the matter to a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it.
As a result, the House of Representatives called on the CBN to immediately halt the implementation of the policy until further consultations are held with relevant banking and finance committees.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is already emplacing an new naira for crude contract with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, because the initial contract was for six months which expired in March 2025.
This clarification was made in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye on Monday.
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According to Soneye, the NNPC Limited has noted recent reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged unilateral termination of the crude oil sales agreement in Naira between NNPC Ltd. and Dangote Refinery.
To clarify, the contract for the sale of crude oil in Naira was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to availability, and expires at the end of March 2025. Discussions are currently ongoing towards emplacing a new contract.
Under this arrangement, NNPC Ltd. has made over 48 million barrels of crude oil available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024. In aggregate, NNPC Ltd. has made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the Refinery since its commencement of operations in 2023.
NNPC Limited remains committed to supplying crude oil for local refining based on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
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