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NCDMB Launches $50m Research Fund, Sept 9

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has concluded plans to host the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Content Research and Development Fair on September 9, 2021 at the NCDMB Conference Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, announced this at a press conference organised in Lagos ahead of the fair, stressing that no country develops sustainably without focusing on research and development.
He explained that the board placed high premium on Research and Development as a critical enabler in achieving the target of 70 per cent local content by 2027, adding that the theme of this year’s event was: “Creating Sustainable Collaboration in Research and Development for the Energy Sector.”
He explained that the event would feature presentations of research breakthroughs, panel discussions on R&D pillars of success and a special feature on how Nigeria can adopt a sustainable acceleration programme for launching innovative ideas into the market.
The highlights of the fair would include the launching the NCDMB 10-Year R&D Roadmap by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; commissioning of the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre established by the NCDMB to facilitate innovation and incubation of ideas for market adoption and launching of the $50million R&D Fund utilization protocol.
The executive secretary recalled that the maiden edition of the R&D Fair was organized in 2017, where research breakthroughs were exhibited, and linkages were facilitated between researchers and end-users in the oil and gas industry.
He remarked that the board had recorded significant progress in elevating industry collaboration on R&D since the last edition.
Some of the accomplishments included the establishment of Nigerian Content Research and Development Council to advise the board on matters relating to research and development in the oil and gas industry, and Development of R&D 10-Year Strategic Road Map, which will be launched during the 2021 R&D Fair.
Other achievements included the development of frameworks for supporting research breakthroughs to products for industry application, adding that over 20 researchers are benefiting from the board’s intervention.
He added that the board also created $50million Research and Development Fund as well as signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish R&D Centres of Excellence in five universities, notably Federal Universities of Technology in Minna, Akure and Owerri; Niger Delta University, Amasoma; and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.
Speaking further, Wabote confirmed that the board would use the $50million Research and Development Fund to support research findings that have practical utilisation, and have capability of being commercialised and applied to solve teething problems in the economy.
He noted that for any researcher to benefit from the fund, he would have to go through a rigorous process of proving the relevance of the research and commercial viability, hinting that the fund did not require any collateral or guarantee.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.