General
Senate Pledges Adequate Support for Local Content Development
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has announced plans to provide adequate legislative support to drive the local content development initiatives of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who spoke after an oversight visit on the board facilities and projects sites within Bayelsa State commended the board for how it has implemented its enabling statute, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
The Senator said NCDMB has demonstrated the requisite capacity for actualisation of the objectives of the Act, and that the enabling environment for oil and gas industry operations, growth of indigenous businesses, job creation and development of industry-related skills, would be vigorously pursued by the Committee at the National Assembly.
The Chairman reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to growing local capacity in the oil and gas and other sectors as a sure way of creating employment.
In his word, “ let me say that the benefits of local content cannot be over emphasize. It will lead to the creation of jobs for our people, development of critical assets and skills , growth of local businesses, improve balance of payments and reduction of dependence on foreign goods services.
“To achieve these benefits, collaborations between the Senate committee and board of the NCDMB is essential as we would work closely with the NCDMB to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented effectively.
“The committee will not only ensure oversight but will also support the board’ in efforts to develop and implement policies that promote local content development, in addition to our collaboration with the board, we will engaged with other stakeholders and create the enabling environment that foster growth for local businesses and promote job creation.” Mr Onowakpo concluded.
Speaking on the Nigerian Content Implementation Framework, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Felix Ogbe, highlighted Guidelines and Regulations, drawing attention to policies and tools, which included Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualifications System (NOGIC JQS), Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), industry collaboration, as well as gap analysis, among other things.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, he disclosed the board’s has recorded success in the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI) with over ninety percent repayment.
Mr Halilu highlighted some recent striking accomplishments of the Board as facilitating of 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) capacity galvanising plant, commissioned at Daewoo Yard, Port Harcourt, which has ramped up local galvanizing capacity to over 180,000MT; NEDO 300 MMscfd Kwale Gas Gathering Plant, Delta State; NCDMB Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, and Odukpani, Cross River State, which are at 90 per cent completion level;10 mega watt Power Plant, and EGINA floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) integration facility, the first and largest in Africa.
Speaking on the next phase, Mr Halilu highlighted the board’s ongoing construction of the NCDMB Gas Hub for gas-based industries and the work on its eight industrial parks across the country as well as the human capacity development programme christened Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative.
He asked the legislatures to support the board by excluding of the Nigerian Content Development Fund from revenue deductions in line with Section 104 of the NOGICD Act.
He also added that the board would also want the challenge of infrastructure to be addressed as well as a strengthening of local content laws by ensuring that legislations for the growth of other sectors are properly aligned with local content philosophy.
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.
