Local Content: NCDMB Commits To Building Globally Competitive Workforce

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has restated its commitment to developing local capacity, equipping Nigerians with relevant technical skills and creating opportunities for meaningful participation in the country’s industrial, oil and gas sectors.

Executive secretary of NCDMB, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, made the commitment at the weekend during the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of trainees of the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) at Rivers State University.

Represented by the assistant manager, Property and Investment, NCDMB, Ilu Ozekhome, Ogbe said the board, through strategic partnerships and interventions, had continued to support the development of a competent and globally competitive Nigerian workforce.

He said the six-month intensive training had equipped the trainees with practical skills, which they were already applying to real-life projects.

“It really gladdens my heart. When we were outside at the station, I could see that the trainees of these six months of intensive training were already deploying what they learnt into practical use.

“From the transformer reconstruction to the mobile boarding platform and other skills, I really commend you guys for not sitting on the certificate but applying the skills that you learnt into practical use,” Ogbe said.

He congratulated the graduands on the completion of the programme, saying the achievement represented an important step towards developing the technical skills required to support Nigeria’s industrial and maritime sectors.

“Your completion of this training is not only a personal milestone but also an important step towards developing a technical skill required to support Nigeria’s industrial and maritime sectors,” he said.

Ogbe also commended the management of CMOTD and its partners for their commitment to practical, industry-focused training and for providing opportunities for Nigerians to acquire relevant skills and competencies.

He commended Rivers State University for providing the platform and enabling environment for the training programme.

“I encourage you to continue learning, remain disciplined and apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired responsibly.

“The real value of this training will be demonstrated through how you use your skills to create solutions, contribute to industry and add value to Nigeria. In fact, that’s the very essence of this training. Share what you know,” the NCDMB boss said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of CMOTD, Engr Vitalis Ahiakwo, described the centre as a hub for innovation and applied technology, saying its objective was to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Ahiakwo said the centre focused on converting research and knowledge into practical, industry-ready competencies for the marine, offshore and energy sectors.

“At the core of what we do lies a clear national imperative: building the human capital that will propel Nigeria’s blue economy forward,” he said.

Addressing the graduands, Ahiakwo said the training had equipped them with specialised skills and problem-solving abilities needed in the marine, offshore, energy and technology sectors.

He urged them to continue learning, collaborate with others and maintain professional integrity.

A programme brief by the Head of Research and Development and Training Coordinator, Dr Elakpa Augustine, showed that the 24-week programme covered practical ship design and construction, circular economy design, mechanical piping and pressure vessel design, big data analytics, oil well optimisation, transformer repair and maintenance, as well as international-class welding, fabrication and qualification.

He urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired during the training and continue to develop their skills.

“Apply what you have learnt quickly, share it with your colleagues, guard your integrity and never sign what you have not verified. Keep learning and stay connected as ambassadors of CMOTD,” he said.