General
NCDMB to Host African Local Content Investment Forum
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to host the African Local Content Investment Forum (ALCIF) in Lagos on March 7, 2022.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr Simbi Wabote in a statement, on Saturday in Abuja. He said the event will foster sustainable funding of African oil and gas projects, noting that the current energy transition agenda was posing new challenges to Africa.
Mr Wabote said the forum would also provide a platform for African leaders in the oil and gas industry, financial sector, regulators, and regional bodies to meet and shape the industry’s future in Africa amidst energy transition realities.
He said that it would elevate Africa’s indigenous oil producers and national oil companies as the next generation of project producers involved in the equity financing of exploration and field development activities.
This, he said, also positions Africa’s oil and gas service companies as funding blocks for research and development of technology required for exploration and production operations.
The NCDMB boss further said that it would position Africa’s financial institutions as providers of debt financing for oil and gas projects.
“The ongoing global energy transition is driving most International Oil Companies (IOCs) to declare commitments to reduce carbon emissions thereby scaling down investments in hydrocarbons development in favour of expanding renewable portfolios.
“Leading global financial institutions are also reducing or eliminating portfolio allocations to oil and gas projects,” he said.
According to him, the board’s sponsorship of the forum is in furtherance of the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.
Mr Wabote said that it had a key aspiration to promote local content across the African continent and ensure access to the market for oil and gas capacities that have been developed locally.
The board, he said, consistently provided guidance to several African countries on the implementation of local content policies in their jurisdictions.
According to the organisers, the local content policy which has been implemented successfully in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry offers the most appealing economic development models for a self-reliant and resilient African economy.
Africa accounts for eight per cent of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves with an estimated 126.388 billion barrels equivalent.
The continent contributes three per cent of global Gross Domestic Production (GDP) despite having a population of over 1.373 billion people and being the second largest and second most-populous continent on earth.
Analysts believe that the continent has the human resource base to leverage its hydrocarbon, minerals, and other natural resources to improve its GDP contribution.
Expected at the event are delegates from 18 countries mostly from the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO), 140 financial institutions, and 400 participants from around the continent.
The event is being facilitated by the Heritage Times and has as its theme: “Developing a Pan African Strategy towards Sustainable Funding of Africa Oil and Gas Projects”.
The ALCIF is sequel to the first African Local Content Roundtable hosted by the board in June 2021 at the NCDMB Towers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
