Business
NCDMB Recommits To Mandate…Partners Renaissance, MJD Oilfield Services On 33 Young Engineers Training
Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd, MJD Oilfield Services Ltd in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), have begun the Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC HCD) Training Programme for 33 young graduate Engineers.
A statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications of the NCDMB noted that the training for the young graduates comprises engineering, geology and related disciplines
The programme, according to the Board commenced on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where the young graduates underwent opening formalities for a 12-month training in pipeline engineering, corrosion control and monitoring.
The Board further added that the training was geared towards developing expertise for protection and sustenance of the country’s energy infrastructure.
According to the NCDMB, trainees will have classroom technical sessions, simulation-based learning, field demonstrations, on-the-job training, mentorship and coaching.
Other areas of the training, the Board said would include case study reviews, and continuous assessment as well as evaluation.
The Board noted that expected outcomes of the programme include skilled project-ready personnel, measurable local content impact, creation of pipeline integrity talent pool, and long-term infrastructure reliability.
In his address at the event, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Manager, Human Capital Development, Mrs. Tailgate Bribena-Teide said pipeline pigging, a process involving insertion of devices called pigs into pipelines for cleaning, gauging, etc. to ensure integrity of the system, and corrosion control, protect the pipelines, prevent costly failures, and safeguard the environment and the economy.
He noted that the expertise gained from the training would position trainees to contribute meaningfully to major national projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, measuring 614 kilometres, and many others, which as he explained, is in accord with the Board’s mandate to build local capacity, deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, and create opportunities that drive national growth.
Ogbe expressed his appreciation to Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd for partnering the Board and commitment to developing Nigerian talent.
He urged the trainees to approach the programme with discipline and determination, noting that lessons gained would shape them into professionals capable of solving real industry problems.
In his remarks, representative of Renaissance Africa, Engr. Funso Alabi, thanked the NCDMB profoundly for its support to the company and for all it has done toward growth of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Heghlighted the extraordinary achievements recorded in HCD since inception of the Board, with Nigerians occupying key positions in industry and others doing so well abroad.
“NCDMB has done so much. The Board is turning Nigeria into a great nation”, he said.
He also thanked MJD Oilfield Services for the calibre of trainers assembled to run the training programme.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, MJD, Mr. Olayemi Familusi, expressed gratitude to the NCDMB and Renaissance, noting that changes in the oil and gas industry brought about by NCDMB’S initiatives are everywhere, particularly in the development of indigenous companies and human resources.
In his closing remarks, Chief Austin Ugbunaia, Project Manager of MJD, thanked the Board and Renaissance for the opportunity to play a part in capacity development, while assuring them of quality training and exposure for the trainees.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Continue Reading
The Federal Government has approved a whooping $1bn credit facility to support Nigerian exporters and small scale businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to boost production, competitiveness and intra-African trade.
The $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility is also expected to address some of the financing gap being faced by Nigerian exporters and enhance the competitiveness of African businesses within the continental market.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Obilor-Duru Okechi, Oduwole said the financing facility represented a major opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand operations, modernise production processes and increase exports to African markets.
The statement partly read, “?The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a US$1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility aimed at boosting production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade.”
She noted that despite the progress Nigeria had made in implementing the continental trade agreement, many local businesses continued to face obstacles that limited their ability to take advantage of the single African market.
?
“Many businesses still face challenges relating to export documentation, certification, standards compliance and market access,” the minister said.
She explained that the Federal Government was addressing these bottlenecks through enhanced trade facilitation measures, simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, stakeholder engagement programmes and stronger collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Oduwole stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol, to position the country as a major player in Africa’s growing digital economy.
The minister also highlighted some of the gains recorded in Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation efforts.
According to her, the expansion of Nigeria’s Air Cargo Corridor Initiative to Rwanda, increased collaboration with development partners and private sector players, as well as sustained engagement with state governments, were helping to deepen awareness and participation in the continental market.
In her welcome address and first-quarter update, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, provided details of the financing initiative.
Okala said the $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility was targeted at large African businesses with a minimum financing capacity of $10m.
She revealed that the National AfCFTA Coordination Office was working closely with fund managers to facilitate access for eligible Nigerian companies and had begun assembling a pilot group of businesses to ensure that Nigeria maximised the opportunities provided by the facility.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has advised Nigerians against boarding boats that require constant bailing of water in the interest of their safety.
NIWA Area Manager for Cross River and Ebonyi, Mr Stanley Onuoha gave this warning in an interview with Newsmen in Calabar.
Onuoha who spoke on waterway
safety, said that passengers should take responsibility for their safety by inspecting boats before embarking on any journey.
According to him, repeated scooping of water from a boat is a clear indication that the vessel may be leaking.
“If you are entering a boat and see people using a bailer to remove water, it is the first signal that the boat is leaking,” he said.
He urged passengers to check the integrity of boats, including seating arrangements and other visible safety features.
The Manager restated the importance of using safety jackets, saying that damaged jackets may fail during emergencies.
He further said that passengers should ensure that safety jackets were appropriate for their body sizes in order to guarantee effective flotation.
Onuoha reiterated the need for passengers to fill manifests before departure to aid accountability during emergencies.
The NIWA official further advised travellers to monitor weather conditions and avoid boarding boats when the weather is unfavourable.
According to him, poor weather conditions can trigger strong tidal waves capable of affecting small boats commonly used on inland waterways.
He said that waterway journeys should be embarked upon between 6.00a.m and 6.00p.m for clearer visibility.
Onuoha said the Authority had continued to sensitise riverine communities to the need for safety precautions during waterway journeys.
He stated that sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement measures had contributed to safety waterway safety in Cross River.
CHINEDU WOSU