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NCDMB unveils procedures for implementation of Presidential Directive on Local Content, highlights recent accomplishments
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Monday in Abuja hailed the Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements as crucial for enhanced competitiveness and mitigation of risks in regard to unqualified contractors, just as he unveiled five focal areas for implementation of the policy initiative.
The Executive Secretary spoke at the Nigerian Content Seminar, the opening day of the Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Conference, in Abuja.

The NCDMB boss listed the areas as ‘Promoting the Utilisation/Growth of In-country Capacities,’ ‘Enhancing the Cost Competitiveness of Oil and Gas Projects,’ ‘Non-inclusion of Intermediary Entities Lacking the Essential Capacity to Perform from the Nigerian Content Plan (NCP),’ ‘Approval of Nigerian Content Plan (which consists of contractors that meet the legal definition of Nigerian companies and demonstrate capacity to execute projects within Nigeria),’ and ensuring that ‘Entities acting solely as intermediaries, with no demonstrable capacity to execute the project or activity, shall not be approved.’
Engr. Ogbe assured that under the first focal area, ‘Promoting the Utilisation/Growth of In-country Capacities,’ the Board would continue to leverage its existing processes “to assess and verify the capacity of companies, facilitating and carrying out in-country capacity audits in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.”

On enhancement of cost competitiveness of oil and gas projects, he said, among other activities operators in the oil and gas industry would only be permitted to source capacities out-of-country “only after in-country capacity gaps have been identified.”
In regard to the third focal area, namely, ‘Non-inclusion of Intermediaries Lacking the Essential Capacity,’ Engr. Ogbe stated that the “Tender opportunity’s pre-qualification and technical evaluation phases” would be used to eliminate entities so identified as incapable of performing.
Explaining the Board’s procedure in respect of ‘Approval of Nigerian Content Plan (NCP),’ he noted that international players’ participation would be deemed appropriate only “when the necessary Nigerian Content level is unavailable locally or inefficient.”
While assuring that entities acting solely as intermediaries with no demonstrable capacity to execute a project would not be approved, he reiterated that the Board remains “steadfast in its dedication to guaranteeing that any services provided will generate value in the country,” and that it would “evaluate current policies and guidelines to encourage the development of indigenous capabilities and guarantee that these policies and guidelines are not misused, misapplied, or misinterpreted.”
In all, he observed with satisfaction that the Presidential Directive and the Board’s modalities are in sync with the objectives of its 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, which aims to increase Nigerian Content to 70 per cent by 2027.
Among recent landmark accomplishments of the Board, as identified by the NCDMB boss, were the inauguration of Amal Technologies Gas Leak Detection Device and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing facility in December 2023 in Abuja, the commissioning of the Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Hub and NEDOGAS Plant in June in Delta State, and the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project by TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and its Joint Venture partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Engr. Ogbe seized the occasion to congratulate winners and participants in the Golf Tournament organized as part of the NOG Energy Week. The golf tourney is sponsored by the NCDMB and the Executive Secretary emphasized that the event is an excellent platform to provide clarity, expositions, tips and guidance to industry players on the provisions of the NOGICD Act.
Speaking during one of the breakout sessions, the Director of Projects Certification and Authorization Certificate (PCAD) at the NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele explained that NCDMB had enabled oil and gas through its policies, collaboration and investments. He indicated that about 1000 Nigerian service companies were registered on the NOGIC JQS in 2011, but the number had increased to 13,000, while the number of operating companies had equally increased to 120 firms.
He charged service companies to only accept jobs they have the technical capacity to execute, and to eschew the practice of bidding for every job in the oil and gas industry. He also emphasized that Nigerian Content is not a major cost driver in Nigeria, noting that other elements like security and managing community stakeholders are big cost drivers.
In his contribution, the General Manager, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye affirmed thatsubsequent legislations enacted in the oil and gas industry after the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act had reinforced the NOGICD Act.
Also contributing in the session, the chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Wole Ogunsanya noted that Nigerian Content development built the capacity of local companies who now execute jobs across Africa and beyond. He added that local content implementation had lowered the entry barrier into oil and gas industry and created local operating companies that are acquiring the assets being divested by international oil companies.
News
Obi donates ₦10m to Faith Foundation Nursing College, urges Youths to reject ethnic politics
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress( NDC) in the 2027 elections, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday visited the Faith Foundation College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, where he expressed delight at the progress of projects underway at the institution.
Obi, who inspected some of the ongoing projects, was received by the Proprietor of the College, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Agbo, who expressed appreciation for Obi’s longstanding support for the institution.
Agbo disclosed that Obi’s earlier financial contributions had played a significant role in giving the institution the confidence to embark on many of the projects currently under construction.
The Proprietor said the support had encouraged the management to continue investing in the development of the institution and its facilities.
In continuation of his support for the institution, Obi presented a cheque of ₦10 million towards the ongoing projects.

He also assured the management that he would continue to partner with the institution until it realises its objective of producing its first set of nurses.
Obi said his intervention was part of his broader commitment to supporting education and healthcare, particularly the training of quality healthcare professionals who would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He thereafter proceeded to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Nsukka, where he participated in the 68th Annual Conference of Anglican Youths.
Addressing the youths, Obi urged them to recognise their responsibility in building a new Nigeria, stressing that the country they desire cannot emerge without their active participation in shaping its future.
He urged them to reject politics based on tribe, religion or language and instead insist on electing leaders with proven character, competence, capacity, integrity and strong ethical values.
According to him, the future of Nigeria depends not only on the leaders the country produces but also on the standards citizens demand from those who seek public office.
“Our future depends not only on the leaders we produce but also on the standards we demand. Together, we can build the New Nigeria that is possible,” he said.
News
Gunmen invade Kogi communities, kill residents
Several people were feared killed on Thursday when armed men reportedly attacked three communities in Kupa Kingdom — Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi — in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State in an alleged reprisal attack.
Residents said the incident began around 8am when a herder, suspected of being a cattle rustler, was shot and killed during a heated altercation with local vigilantes at a checkpoint in the community.
“Few hours after the checkpoint incident between a herder and vigilantes, armed hoodlums invaded the town, shooting sporadically from different directions.
“In the process, several residents were killed, with many others sustaining injuries, as the armed hoodlums attacked streets, markets and even the palace of our paramount traditional ruler in the town.
“As of yesterday night, seven people were confirmed dead. The death toll may rise in the days ahead as the search for and confirmation of victims is still in progress.

“Moreover, the situation will become clearer when families who sought refuge in safer communities start returning from their various hiding places,” Ahmed, a resident of Abugi, said.
A son of the Mayaki of Kupa, Prince Aliyu Isah Kabir, who is the APC Youth Leader of Kupa South Ward, was confirmed to be among the victims of the attack.
The Lokoja Local Government Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, confirmed the incident, saying the attack on the Kupa communities had led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Adamu said: “We have charged the relevant security agencies to swing into action and arrest anyone who has a hand, directly or remotely, in the attack and bring them to face the law.
“The government is saddened by this devilish act and will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for the deceased. I want to appeal for calm while the relevant security agencies take action.”
The Kogi State Government also condemned the attack, describing it as tragic, senseless and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Friday, the state government described the incident as a reprisal attack and vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding it, identify those responsible and prosecute them as a deterrent to others.
In the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government said: “The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack.
“These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law.
“We appeal to all residents to remain calm and resist the temptation of reprisals. We also urge members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that will aid ongoing investigations and the arrest of all those responsible.”
According to the statement, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo sympathised with the families of the deceased and directed “security agencies to immediately restore calm, take control of the situation and apprehend those responsible for the killings.”
The government also appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid further retaliation and provide security agencies with credible information as investigations into the incident continue.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command was contacted over the development, but its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls and a text message as of the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)
News
PFIPC probe: ICPC uncovers two more fake agencies linked to Adeyemi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two more fake agencies operated by the self‑styled Director‑General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi.
ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after he submitted the commission’s interim report on the existence and operation of the fake agency at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu said the investigation revealed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was never established by law or executive order.
According to the interim report, the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged, while the PFIPC illegally appropriated offices and instruments from the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
He said the fake agency, using the former PEAC office, engaged in false representation, widespread impersonation and various illegal activities that exploited weaknesses in verification and inter‑agency oversight.

He further stated that the investigation uncovered two additional fake government agencies: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA).
“These agencies were created using forged legislative instruments and were used to open bank accounts for illegal activities,” he said.
The ICPC boss said Adeyemi changed the name of the fake agency from Foreign Investment Promotion Council to Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and attempted to expand its mandate to include revenue generation.
He said: “The investigation found no funds were approved or disbursed for the fake PFIPC/PEAC, and there were no weaknesses in the State House or CBN system.”
Some recommendations of the committee, which was given 30 days to unravel the mystery behind the existence of the fake agency, include prosecution of Mr. Adeyemi; imposing administrative sanctions on public officers who facilitated the illegal operations; and instituting reforms to improve internal controls
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The public officers who were said to be collaborators are from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant‑General’s Office, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
“The report is interim and the investigation continues to uncover more details to file criminal charges against Adeyemi and his collaborators,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu added that President Tinubu has taken note of the findings and has expressed his commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the issue.
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