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NCDMB Commissions Centre Of Excellence For OEM
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, has commissioned PE Energy’s ultra-modern Centre of Excellence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which would provide services in Automation, Process and Systems Integration as well as Valve Assembly, Valve Actuation, Metering Systems, Pump and Compressor Solutions.
The facility would also offer services in Instrument Fitting Manufacturing and Service Lines, Training and Competence Assessment, in addition to assembling Early Production Facilities (EPFs) and Mobile Production Units (MOPUs) which are essential in the nation’s aspiration to increase oil and gas production.
Speaking at the event attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international and local oil and gas operating companies, Wabote commended PE Energy for contributing to the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas sector and Nigerian Content.
He hinted that the company’s area of speciality in Automation, Process and System Integration is of special interest to the board, especially as the oil and gas industry prepares itself to fully tap into the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He stated that the industry was going into an era where massive adoption of technology and innovation would become the norm, adding that “from unmanned FPSO’s to carbon capture technologies to achieve net-zero emissions, from Big Data Analytics for seismic surveys to the use of Augmented Realities for Human Capacity Development, the board is delighted that Nigerian industry players are keen to adopt and deploy these new innovations.”
Wabote described PE’s Centre of Excellence as an excellent addition to top-notch facilities that showcases the success of Local Content in Nigeria and enhances the journey to the actualisation of the 10-year strategic roadmap targeted to achieve 70percent Nigerian Content in the oil and gas sector by the year 2027.
He also lauded PE Energy’s partnership with global brands in the automation and instrumentation industry, adding that such partnerships would enhance the acquisition of skills by the employees of PE Energy Ltd.
He stated that “the quality of the facility guarantees that none of the international operating companies would have any doubt that if given an assignment to PE Energy, it would produce the same quality you will see outside Nigeria.”
While commending the international oil companies for their continuous support in the successful implementation of Nigerian Content, he noted that PE Energy’s Centre of Excellence would lead to cost reduction and enhancement of the reliability and availability of oil companies’ production facilities.
In his address, the Managing Director of PE Energy Limited, Engr. Daere Akobo said that the facility was 100percent local driven, from administration to technology, adding that the state-of-the-art facility spreads across an area of 10,820sqm.
He noted that the multi-million-dollar investment had positioned the company as an automation process and system integration company in the service of critical process value chain in the oil and gas industry, offering innovative solutions for the exploration, extraction, processing, transportation, and distribution sectors.
Reeling out the company’s capacities, Akobo said that the firm had delivered projects across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and Ghana, and had also acquired a seismic detection technology and got approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to fly the northern basin of the country.
Akobo announced that the Centre of Excellence would consolidate the partnership between NCDMB and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and focus on material substitution, which entails research and development in the use of raw materials for the formulation of drilling and completion fluids and additives.
He added that the facility would provide linkage between the industry and academia and serve as a Competence Assessment Centre and contribute towards the creation of highly competent manpower through hands-on training in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu underscored the ministry’s contributions to the promotion of Nigerian businesses and partnerships.
He added that “Once a business has the blessings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it achieves better results, rather than just going out to engage international partners on their own.”
Tanimu hinted that the ministry promotes the Nigerian Content Policy and was canvasses for international companies to set up facilities in Nigeria and take advantage of the large market.
He charged operators of the oil industry to patronise PE Energy to ensure return on investment and encourage other investors in the sector.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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