From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry was a constant reference point in discussions at the opening day of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, which began on Tuesday at Windhoek, Namibia.The event is being attended by policymakers, international oil and gas operating and service companies, Namibian indigenous players and other stakeholders.

The goal is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the Southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) are participating at the Namibian event in furtherance of their collaboration in the promotion of African local content, creation of opportunities and new markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.The Board’s delegation is led by the Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, while the PETAN team is led by its Chairman and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Wole Ogunsanya.In a statement, Dr. Halilu delivered a presentation at the Local Content Masterclass at the opening, and outlined a number of strategies that African oil producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.According to him, local content value propositions for Africa include research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increased production and utilization of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).He identified the government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional. Using Nigeria as a case study, Halilu listed key achievements of NCDMB to include the establishment of world class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, the Director pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritization of gas based industrialisation.Dwelling on strategies that would support the growth of African local content, he urged oil-producing countries to specialise in different manufacturing and service areas of the oil and gas industry and develop their competencies to the right specifications.This will enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft, which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory.Such a model, he noted, will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage and can contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.The representative of the Executive Secretary concluded by offering local content nuggets, which include that local content implementation is not a sprint but a marathon and must be executed as a business and not as corporate social responsibility.Local content must also be cost effective and local peculiarities must be given key considerations, he noted.Other recommendations include that local content regulations must apply to all players in the industry and not only foreign companies or expatriates and the implementation takes time, consistency, and coordination.He equally suggested that capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities, adding that local content practice would not grow if new projects are not developed.He ended by assuring the audience that Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empower the African people and drive shared prosperity.The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq. Who further shared the Board’s success stories in human capital development.The conference continues till Friday and is expected to feature another presentation by the NCDMB boss on Wednesday, while one of the panel discussions would feature the Chairman of PETAN Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Dr. Stephen Hwande, has urged the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), BSUTH branch, to call off their 21 days warning strike, saying the action is unnecessary and uncalled for.

He reminded them of their agreement with the state government and urged them to remember the magnanimity of Governor Hyacinth Alia who recently released over N900,000,000 to clear their outstanding arrears. Addressing journalists in his office in Makurdi, Dr. Hwande noted that both the hospital management and the Benue State Government remain committed to maintaining peace and cooperation in the health sector.Reacting to the ongoing strike by the Association of Resident Doctors ARD, BSUTH Branch noted that the strike has disrupted some services but assured the public that key units at the hospital like the Accident and Emergency Unit, General Outpatient Department, and the VIP SMART Clinic remain fully operational.He explained that medical and other essential services at the hospital remain available despite ongoing strikes by Resident Doctors.The Chief Medical Director said the hospital in the interim has engaged services of Medical Officers and consultants to address the staffing shortage caused by the strike to ensure continued service delivery to the public. “Management of the hospital is working with the state government to address the demands of the Resident Doctors and find a resolution to the matter, the CMD described the decision by the Doctors to embark on an indefinite strike as hasty and unnecessary.”Government is already engaging with the Doctors to address the issues that led to the strike action, saying the process of paying the Residency Training Fund has commenced and urged the Doctors to suspend the strike in the interest of the public”, he said.He acknowledged efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia for what he was doing in the health sector particularly the releases of over eight hundred million Naira for payment of all outstanding arrears including death benefits for staff of the hospital and commended him for implementing the new consolidated salary structure for other Medical Doctors and health workers in the state.The Association of Resident Doctors Benue State University Teaching Hospital branch had Monday commenced an infinite strike over issues relating to the two thousand and twenty five Medical Residency Training Fund and other unresolved demands.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has constituted a 2025 Recapitalization Committee, following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.Chaired by Oluwatoyin Charles, Director of Supervision, the Committee’s primary responsibility is to oversee the implementation of the recapitalization program.

This includes ensuring compliance with revised capital requirements and promoting transparency and integrity in sourcing and verifying capital inflows. The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, emphasized the critical role of recapitalization in stabilizing the industry and contributing to Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy vision during the Committee’s inauguration in Abuja on Tuesday He urged the 11-member Committee to approach their task with professionalism, diligence, and commitment to the common interest, assuring them of necessary support.Committee’s terms of reference include to create a detailed plan for the Commission and the insurance industry; develop guidelines and circulars on recapitalization; recommend the composition of Minimum Capital Requirements, and incentives and Concession Identify incentives and concessions that may be obtained from other regulatory authorities.The Committee will submit monthly progress reports to Management and provide quarterly updates to the Governing Board and stakeholders.NAICOM is confident that the Committee will successfully deliver on its mandate, shaping the future of Nigeria’s insurance sector.”The Committee’s success is vital to the industry’s stability and growth, and NAICOM looks forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve this objective.”With the NIIRA 2025, NAICOM aims to position the insurance industry for greater transparency, innovation, and global competitiveness, aligning with the Federal Government’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy”, the Commission added.