By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Monday 28, September, 2026
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has honoured 14 retired members of its workforce for their meritorious service and contributions to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.
The retirees were recognised at a Retirees’ Celebration Dinner held at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), the Board’s corporate headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The event provided an opportunity for former senior officials of the Board to reflect on the evolution of Nigerian content since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010, as well as the challenges encountered in implementing the legislation.
Speaking at the ceremony, the retired Director of the Legal Services Directorate, Mohammed Babaginda Umar, Esq., recalled the initial resistance from major players in the oil and gas industry following the enactment of the NOGICD Act.
According to him, the legislation, which seeks to domicile value-adding activities in Nigeria while promoting the utilisation of Nigerian human resources and locally produced goods and services, was initially unfamiliar to many industry operators.
Umar said the Legal Services Directorate had to deploy tact and extensive engagement to help industry players understand the benefits of complying with the new law.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector,” he noted, explaining that many companies were initially reluctant to cooperate with the implementation of the Act.
He, however, said the gradual acceptance of the legislation by operators had contributed significantly to the growth of Nigerian content in the industry.
He noted that local content had risen from five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent, describing the development as a significant achievement.
Umar declared that “local content has come to stay,” adding that other African countries now visit Nigeria to learn from the country’s experience in developing local participation in the oil and gas sector.
He urged serving staff of the NCDMB to remain committed to their responsibilities and give their best to sustain the progress recorded by the Board.
Another retiree, Daziba Patrick Obah, who served as pioneer Director of the Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB between 2016 and 2017 and later Director of Corporate Services, recalled some of the challenges associated with the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower.
Obah said the construction presented challenges from the substructure through to the superstructure, but noted that the difficulties were eventually overcome during his tenure as chief executive of the Board.
He also highlighted the importance of research and development to the growth of Nigerian content, particularly because of the novel nature of the initiative in the country’s oil and gas industry.
According to him, funding research and development activities was initially a contentious issue, with some stakeholders proposing that NCDMB should bear the cost while others argued that the oil and gas industry should fund the research.
He said the Board eventually assumed responsibility for funding and demonstrated its ability to manage research projects effectively.
Obah recalled that the NCDMB successfully organised its maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in September 2017.
Also speaking, Isaac Yalah, who retired as Director of Planning, Research and Statistics after previously serving in the Finance and Personnel Management Directorate, described NCDMB as an institution that provides an environment capable of bringing out the best in its employees.
He said the Board provided staff with appropriate tools and development programmes that enhanced productivity.
Yalah described the US$350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) as a game changer in promoting indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry.
According to him, the single-digit financing facility enabled several Nigerian oil and gas service companies to acquire the operational assets required to expand their businesses.
He also highlighted the emergence and growth of indigenous companies in the upstream segment of the petroleum industry as part of the benefits associated with the implementation of the NOGICD Act.
“We are very proud to say we have the likes of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Seplat Energy Company, Oando,” he said.
Yalah urged serving employees of the Board to continue learning, remain focused and work towards moving the organisation to higher levels of achievement.
Another former senior official, Dr. Ginah Otonye Ginah, who served as General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, described his years at NCDMB as “very exciting times.”
Ginah said his experience at the Board exposed him to valuable lessons about organisational management and professional development.
He commended the dedication of staff during his tenure and noted the importance of the training programmes provided by the Board.
He also expressed satisfaction with NCDMB’s efforts to promote digital awareness and literacy among people in oil-producing rural communities in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country through the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centres in secondary schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq., said the celebration was organised to honour distinguished men and women who dedicated significant years of their professional lives to the service of the Board.
Kikile said the contributions of the retirees went beyond their official responsibilities, noting that they shared knowledge, built relationships, mentored colleagues and contributed to the institutional experience that continues to shape the Board.
He described the retirees as part of the foundation upon which the organisation’s achievements have been built.
On behalf of the management and staff of NCDMB, Kikile wished the retirees good health, peace, happiness and fulfilment in their retirement.
A major highlight of the ceremony was a testimonial session during which serving staff members who had worked closely with the retirees, including some who served as their Technical Assistants, shared personal experiences.
The speakers recalled the professional guidance, mentorship, support and relationships they received from the retirees during their years of service.
The testimonials provided an emotional dimension to the ceremony while highlighting the lasting impact of the retirees on their colleagues and the institution.
The celebration also featured a dance session by the retirees and a cultural performance, providing an opportunity for the former employees and their colleagues to interact in a relaxed atmosphere.
Other retirees honoured at the event included 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 celebration underscored the role of successive generations of NCDMB personnel in the implementation of the NOGICD Act and the development of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Other Articles
No Comment! Be the first one.