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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.
The House of Representatives has extended the implementation period of the capital component of Nigeria’s 2025 budget from September 30 to December 31, 2026, citing economic difficulties and challenges affecting the execution of capital projects.
The decision was taken on Tuesday during plenary after Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere moved a motion seeking an amendment to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025.
Ihonvbere told lawmakers that several factors affecting the Nigerian economy had made it difficult to conclude the implementation of the capital component before the existing September 30 deadline.
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He said the extension was necessary to ensure that incomplete implementation would not be attributed simply to the expiration of the deadline previously approved by the National Assembly.
The House subsequently fast-tracked the bill through first, second and third readings before approving the extension.
The Senate also passed the measure, allowing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to complete capital projects for which funds had already been appropriated and released.
Why the projects remain unfinished
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele gave further details on the factors affecting implementation, pointing to procurement, contract execution, mobilisation, certification of completed works and payment processes.
According to Bamidele, these stages can affect the ability of MDAs to complete projects within the existing budget implementation timeframe.
He said the extension was intended to protect ongoing public investments, facilitate the completion of critical projects and prevent the waste of public resources already appropriated and released.
The latest decision therefore gives government agencies another three months to complete eligible projects and utilise funds already provided for the 2025 capital programme.
Fourth extension of 2025 capital budget
Tuesday’s decision marks the fourth extension of the implementation deadline for the 2025 capital budget.
The National Assembly first moved the deadline from December 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
It subsequently extended the deadline to June 30 and later to September 30.
The latest extension now moves the deadline to December 31, 2026.
The repeated extensions have kept portions of previous capital allocations in the implementation cycle while the government works through outstanding projects and obligations.
Earlier in June, lawmakers had cited procurement timelines, project implementation challenges and administrative processes as reasons for extending the capital budget deadline to September.
Previous budget pressures
The issue has also been linked to the backlog of capital projects from previous budget years.
A recent analysis reported that about ₦16.8 trillion in capital expenditure from the 2024 and 2025 budgets had been rolled into the 2026 fiscal year, with funding constraints and delays in releases contributing to the backlog.
The report said the 2026 capital budget was partly structured to address outstanding obligations from previous years.
President Bola Tinubu had also acknowledged in his 2026 budget speech that the implementation of the 2025 budget faced competing execution demands and the transition between budget years.
He disclosed that only ₦3.10 trillion, representing about 17.7 per cent of the 2025 capital budget, had been released as of the third quarter of 2025, while priority was given to completing 2024 capital projects.
The new December 31 deadline is therefore expected to provide additional time for MDAs to complete projects already at various stages of execution.
The House adjourned plenary until October 13, 2026, after considering the budget extension.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court in Kenya has directed that the construction of the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County be placed on hold until further hearing.
The development came after some farmers and local inhabitants of Chandavai, an area in Lamu County, opposed the move, citing cases of “forceful eviction” and the destruction of their properties.
According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, Judge Jane Onyango ordered that “the status quo prevailing” be maintained.
The report noted that the court will provide further directions on the case on October 14, according to the order, which was issued on September 25 but made public on Monday.
A lawyer representing the petitioners, George Wakahiu, told Bloomberg that the ruling means no construction of the project should begin until the court meets on October 14.
The Dangote refinery project entails “forceful eviction of the plaintiffs from their lands, damage and destruction of their properties and yet there is no resettlement plan for them,” according to the petitioners. Dangote and the Kenyan authorities have yet to comply with the nation’s environmental code that requires “a mandatory environmental impact assessment be done before the implementation of any major project,” they said.
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The refinery also fails to comply with Kenya’s constitution, “which requires that the necessary public participation” be conducted, according to the court filings, the report stated.
However, in a report by Reuters on Tuesday, the business conglomerate of Africa’s richest man, Dangote Group, said in a statement that the court was yet to stop the refinery’s groundbreaking ceremony.
It noted that activities at the proposed refinery site would be affected pending the October 14 court hearing.
“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. However, activities at the site may be affected by the ruling, as both parties are required not to carry out activities until the case is heard on 14th October,” the statement read.
The PUNCH reports that Kenyan President William Ruto said his government was fast-tracking administrative processes for the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu. This is as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, said the planned facility would be bigger than the existing Nigerian plant.
Ruto spoke on Friday during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the September 30 groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya.
The Kenyan President said his government had already secured the land for the project and is working on other requirements to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure that construction and subsequent operations are not delayed.
He described the proposed refinery as a regional project that would expand industrial activities in East Africa, create employment opportunities and improve the technical skills of the region’s workforce.
Courtesy – The PUNCH
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has honoured 14 of its retired employees for their contributions to the growth and development of local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The retirees were honoured at a celebration dinner held on Sunday at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The event also provided an opportunity for former management staff of the board to reflect on the challenges surrounding the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, and the progress recorded since its enactment.
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Speaking at the ceremony, a former Director of Legal Services, Mohammed Umar, said the implementation of the Act was initially met with resistance from major players in the oil and gas industry.
Umar said the board had to deploy tact and sustained engagement to convince industry operators of the benefits of complying with the local content law.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector. Companies were hardly cooperative, and tact was required to create understanding and compliance with the provisions of the Act,” he said.
He noted that local content had grown from about five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent, describing the development as a major achievement.
“Local content has come to stay. Many other African countries now come to Nigeria to learn the secret of the country’s success,” Umar stated.
He urged serving employees of the board to remain committed and give their best to sustain the progress recorded in local content development.
Another retiree, Daziba Obah, who served as pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and later as Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB, recalled the challenges encountered during the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower.
Obah also spoke about the early challenges of funding research and development projects, noting that the board eventually demonstrated its capacity by successfully organising its maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in 2017.
Similarly, a former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Isaac Yalah, described NCDMB as an institution that provides staff with the tools and training required to excel.
He said the $350m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund had significantly boosted the participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector.
“The Nigerian Content Intervention Fund was a game changer with regard to indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry,” Yalah said.
He added that several Nigerian service companies accessed the fund at single-digit interest rates to acquire assets and expand their operations.
Yalah urged serving staff to continue learning and remain focused on taking the board to greater heights.
Also speaking, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr Ginah Ginah, described his years at NCDMB as “very exciting times.”
Ginah said the board’s training programmes contributed significantly to staff development, while its establishment of Information and Communication Technology centres helped promote digital awareness among young people in oil-producing communities.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Kikile, said the event was organised to honour men and women who had dedicated significant portions of their professional lives to the service of the board.
Kikile said the retirees contributed not only through their official responsibilities but also by mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge and building institutional relationships.
He said, “Their contributions extended beyond the duties associated with their respective positions, as they shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board today.”
Kikile, on behalf of the management and staff of NCDMB, wished the retirees good health, peace, happiness and fulfilment in their retirement.
The ceremony also featured testimonials from serving staff who had worked closely with the retirees, including former technical assistants.
The speakers recalled the mentorship, professional guidance and support they received from the retirees during their years of service.
The event ended with a dance session by the retirees and a cultural performance, providing an opportunity for former and serving staff to interact in a relaxed atmosphere.
Other retirees honoured included Dr Ama Ikuru, Adelana Akintunde, Dr Obinna Ofili, Angela Okoro, Taridouye Gagariga, Ombu Atonbara, Okpetu Gabriel and Peter Isu Odo.
Courtesy – The PUNCH
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