The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, at the weekend honoured 14 of its pioneering management staff with Special Awards of Excellence for meritorious service, as it reflected on the exponential growth of local content in the oil and gas industry since 2010.
The Retirees’ Celebration Dinner was held on Friday at the Conference Centre, Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, the corporate headquarters of the Board.
Speaking at the event, retired Director, Legal Services Directorate, LSD, Mohammed Babaginda Umar, Esq, recalled the initial resistance by major oil and gas players to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development, NOGICD Act, 2010.
According to him, local content was new in the sector and companies were hardly cooperative.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector. Companies were hardly cooperative, and tact was required to create understanding and compliance with provisions of the Act,” Umar said.
He noted that through sustained engagement, the companies gradually embraced the law and have become dependable partners, leading to the growth of local content from five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent currently.
“Local content has come to stay. Many other African countries now come to Nigeria to learn the secret of the country’s success,” he declared.
He urged serving staff to sustain the momentum.
Also speaking, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah, who served as pioneer Director, Planning Research and Statistics, PRS, Directorate, Acting Executive Secretary (2016-17) and later Director, Corporate Services, recalled challenges in the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower and funding for Research and Development.
He said the Board demonstrated its capacity by successfully hosting the maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in September 2017.
On his part, Mr. Isaac Yalah, who retired as Director, Planning Research and Statistics, described the $350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, NCIF, as a game changer, noting that it enabled Nigerian service companies to acquire operational assets at single-digit interest rate.
“We are very proud to say we have the likes of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Seplat Energy Company, Oando as leading indigenous companies in the upstream segment,” Yalah said.
In his remarks, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Ginah Otonye Ginah, described his years at NCDMB as “very exciting times,” praising the Board’s staff development programmes and its drive for digital literacy through establishment of ICT centres in secondary schools in Niger Delta communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, MED, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq, said the event was to celebrate men and women who dedicated significant years to the Board.
He said their contributions went beyond official duties, as they “shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board today.”
Other retirees honoured were Dr. Ama Ikuru, former Director, Capacity Building; Mr. Adelana Akintunde, former Director, Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr. Obinna Ofili, former Director, Finance and Personnel Administration; Mrs. Angela Okoro, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination; Mr. Taridouye Gagariga, former Manager, Properties; Mr. Ombu Atonbara, former Manager, Audit; Mr. Okpetu Gabriel, former Deputy Manager, Capacity Building; and Mr. Peter Isu Odo, former Manager, Security.
The ceremony featured testimonials from serving staff, a dance session by the retirees and cultural performances.
