By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote have received the Oil and Gas Trainers’ Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) “Excellence in Human Capital Development within the Energy Industry Award” and “Industry Human Capacity Development Icon Award” respectively at the 2023 OGTAN National Awards.
The event held on Monday at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The award was conferred on the Executive Secretary for the development and promotion of a 10-year strategic roadmap aimed at catalyzing the industrialization of the Oil and Gas industry and its linkage sectors.
The Executive Secretary was also praised for promoting activities across the oil and gas value chain. This included gas utilization programmes, modular refinery partnerships and growing local service companies through the provision of a single digit loans.
Speaking on the nomination of the Board and its Chief Executive, the President of OGTAN, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi pointed that the Board Executive Secretary and NCDMB deserved the Award for their tremendous contributions towards the growth of in-country capacities and competencies in the Oil and Gas industry.
The award was presented to the Executive Secretary by Sen. Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, Chairwoman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited ably represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Lami Ahmed, while the General Manager, Capacity Building Division, NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru received the award on behalf of the Board from President – Oil and Gas Trainers’ Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi.
Speaking after receiving the award, Engr. Wabote appreciated OGTAN for the laudable award and assured of the Board’s continuous support to OGTAN and all players in the oil and gas industry.
“NCDMB will continue to support OGTAN to enhance Human Capacity building initiatives through the Board’s Teachers’ training on STEM education, ICT that we build centers across the federation for secondary schools and as an external knowledge sharing tools”, he said.
Other notable recognitions and awardees were Prof. Nicholas C. Odinuwe, Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN); Prof. Mike Onyekonwu, Managing Consultant, Laser Engineering and Resources Consulting Limited; The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); The Nigerian Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO).
