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NCDMB council, management seek improvements in corporate governance, performance
It was attended by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Board, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) and Co-Chairman of the Council, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and other members of the Governing Council.
The Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe was attending an international assignment, hence was represented by Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, Director of Capacity Building at the NCDMB, among other Directors. It was the first retreat was for the current Council since its inauguration in the first quarter of 2024.
In an opening address at the event, which holds at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Lokpobiri thanked Members of the Council and Management for the sense of duty demonstrated in their whole-hearted support and attendance of the Retreat.
He said the event was intended to introduce Members to the workings of the Board as chief implementer of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and their own statutory roles as supervisors of the agency who have to ensure its effectiveness and success in the delivery of its mandate.
Drawing attention to different sections of the enabling law of the Board the Minister reiterated the need for the Council and the Management to always act within their statutory limits to foster understanding and trust, which he said were required for team spirit.
He said the NCDMB has become a business enabler to the oil and gas industry, creating optimum conditions for indigenous companies to thrive and thus deepen local content as envisioned by the NOGICD Act. While noting that there was still room for improvement, he charged the Management to be more forthcoming with information on the activities of the Board as well as challenges whenever they arise.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Capacity Building, Bamidele Abayomi, expressed profound appreciation to the chairman and Co-Chairman of the Governing Council and other participants at the Retreat, stating that the event represented “a unique opportunity for mutual interaction, strategic bonding, and a deeper understanding of the operations, challenges, and aspirations of the Board.”
He said the functions of the Council, which revolve around providing policy direction, approving strategic operational plans, and ensuring effective implementation of the Nigerian Content Policy, are outlined in Section 75 of NOGICD Act, and that the commitment of its Members to the vision and mandate of the Board has been instrumental in sustaining momentum and achieving key milestones.
Ogbe noted that the Retreat would bring to light challenges faced by the NCDMB and that the invaluable guidance of Council Members on how best to surmount such was required, whether through policy directives, regulatory interventions, or strategic partnership. He said heads of the Directorates of the Board were available to provide detailed insights into their operations, achievements and constraints.
The NCDMB boss cited the establishment of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF), the successful implementation of the 10-Year Strategic Road Map (2017-2027), and commitment to deepening local content (which is currently at 56 per cent, up from five per cent in 2010), as contributory factors in its attainment of significant in-country value retention and attraction of investments to the oil and gas industry.
A major highlight of the Retreat was the paper presentations by renowned experts and thought leaders drawn from different professions. Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, one-time Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, presented a paper on “Corporate Governance, Accountability and Efficiency”; Engr. Abayomi, of the NCDMB, gave an “Overview of NCDMB’s Structure and Operations,” including the impact and challenges of implementing the Board’s mandate.
Other papers and presenters were “The New Tax Laws and Their Implications for NCDMB and the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF)” by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms”; “Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Deepening Local Content” by Professor Nkem Iheanachor of the Lagos Business School,” and “The Purpose and Status of NCDF Contributions and the Impact of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF).
In her presentation, Yemi-Esan stated that Council Members need to understand their duties as set out in the enabling Act to provide strategic direction to the Board as well as oversight, while insisting on accountability by the Management. He urged them to also allow sufficient room for Management to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
Speaking from a position of authority as a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, she spelt out the functions of Council Members and distinguished them from the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of Management.
She explained the need for cooperation between Management and Council in order to achieve unhampered and efficient running of the organisation and attainment of corporate objectives.
During an interval in the paper presentations, the Governing Council and Management of the Board paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Udo Eno, at Government House, Uyo.
On behalf of the visiting Council and Management, the minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Lokpobiri, thanked the Governor for the warm reception accorded them and for sustaining the standard of performance and service delivery attained by his predecessors.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for choosing Akwa Ibom for the Retreat and for a number of interventions in capacity building in his State.
He drew attention to the State’s development of an Oxygen Production Plant and its plans for utilisation of compressed natural gas (CNG), expressing hope of collaboration with the Board in such areas.
On the NCDMB team at the Retreat were Bamidele Abayomi, Director, Capacity Building; Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, Director Legal Services; Silas Ajimijaye, General Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation – Midstream; Tassala Tersugh, General Manager, Midstream; Teddy Bai, Deputy Manager, Government Relations; John Barigha, Supervisor, Marine Vessel Categorisation, and Ikenna Ezeguzo, Supervisor, Movable Assets, and Prince Foncha, Officer, Corporate Communications Division.
Some police officers involved in providing security during the Anambra State governorship election have been shot by some Nigerian Army personnel.
It was gathered that the army personnel were involved in an argument with the policemen at a checkpoint along Onitsha Road on Sunday before opening fire on them.
“Happening now on our way coming back from Anambra State election, we had a misunderstanding with Army personnel at a military checkpoint.
“Before we know what was going on, they opened fire on us. One of us was shot directly on his chest with many other policemen injured,” a policeman told SaharaReporters.
“The issue has generated to riot as we are talking. We have as well called for backup.”
About 45,000 police personnel were deployed for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election won by the incumbent, Charles Soludo.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 99,445 votes.
Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes, while John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 8,208 votes.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo over his gubernatorial election victory in Anambra, saying his re-election is an affirmation of his visionary leadership.
The governor was declared winner of the election after polling 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 99,445 votes.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Tinubu congratulated the governor on his victory.
He pointed out that the overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.
Tinubu said: “I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.
“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.
“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.
“I visited Anambra State in May this year, where I inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration. I highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by Mr Solution. That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind.
“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.
“I urge Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections.
“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.
“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.
“I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far.
“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system.”
At least five people have been killed and nine women abducted after suspected bandits attacked Bargaje community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Residents said the assailants, believed to be loyal to the notorious warlord Bello Turji, invaded the village on Friday night, riding on motorcycles and firing sporadically as they advanced.
The attack, which reportedly lasted for several hours, left many villagers scampering into nearby bushes for safety as the gunmen looted homes and set several houses ablaze.
“They came through the eastern part of the village and caught us off guard. Our local vigilantes tried to confront them but were overpowered,” a community member told Sunday Punch on condition of anonymity.
Although the Sokoto State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of press time, a senior police source confirmed the incident but declined to provide details of casualties.
Repeated calls to the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the Isa Local Government Council has dismissed reports circulating on social media accusing its chairman, Sharehu Kamarawa, of ignoring intelligence warnings before the attack.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the council described the allegation as “false, baseless, and malicious,” insisting that proactive steps were taken once credible intelligence was received.
“Upon receiving the alert, the council mobilised vigilante groups and informed relevant security agencies. Unfortunately, the bandits changed route and struck at Bargaje,” the statement read.
The council said the local security commander in charge of the area had been sanctioned and replaced to improve coordination and response in future.
Chairman Kamarawa reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting ongoing security operations through logistics, fuel supply, and welfare assistance to both formal and community security teams.
He also appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine security efforts.
“Security is a shared responsibility. What we need is cooperation, vigilance, and credible intelligence, not rumours that weaken our collective resolve,” he said.
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