By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 9th edition of the NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State came to a close on Wednesday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) Conference Centre, Swali, Yenagoa, with Kaiama Grammar School, Kaiama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, and Federal Government Girls College, Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area, clinching the top prizes, while Apex Academy, Yenagoa emerged second runner-up.

Each of the three schools went home with prizes, including a set of top-of-the-range laboratory equipment, anatomical skeleton model, microscopes, an electronic compact scale, and a standard printer, while the six contestants received an HP laptop each for their own private use.

In a welcome address at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, described the quiz competition as a major event of the Board, noting that it has demonstrated its commitment to education through the sustenance of the competition for nine consecutive years.
He noted that the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) had started the science quiz for secondary schools several years ago and invited NCDMB into a partnership arrangement that has lasted till date. He said the partnership has endured for so long because the two federal agencies “have a meeting of minds” on matters relating to education and capacity development.
The Executive Secretary explained that the mandate of the NCDMB is to develop indigenous capacity to enhance the participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry, and that the Science Quiz Competition would stimulate the interest of students in science and technology, which he described as the bedrock of oil and gas.

According to him, “It is in our interest to develop the young ones who will work in the industry” in the years ahead as the workforce ages. He pointed out that when the industry began in 1957, those who worked at that time had to develop the next generation that had to replace them.

He said the Board has established Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres in several secondary schools across the country, equipped with laptops, servers, interactive smartboards and facilities for stable electricity supply, among other things. Teachers had to be trained in ICT in many of the schools to be able to impart the required knowledge and skills.

“We are hoping that we ignite in you interest in innovation so that you will be interested in finding solutions that will drive our oil and gas sector and solutions that enhance performance in other sectors of the national economy,” he declared, adding that linkage sectors such as mining, agriculture and construction are equally prioritised by the Board.
Addressing the students, Dr. Ezeobi advised the students to use the HP laptops to develop digital skills to prepare them for the future, rather than spend all their time on entertainment.
In a goodwill message, the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Yenagoa, Mrs. Mary Ekanem, commended the NCDMB for its prompt intervention toward sustenance of the Science Quiz Competition after it had been shelved because of financial constraints. She said part of the mandate of the NTA is to promote education and that the organisation has found an excellent partner in the Board.
“NCDMB is helping the NTA in fulfilling its mandate in regard to education,” she declared, adding that education of national development.
According to Mrs. Ekanem, “This competition makes students to study and become knowledgeable.”
She said the NTA has a responsibility to manage information dissemination to ensure citizens are well-informed and enlightened and also ensure the unity of the country. That professional orientation inclines the organisaion to ensure objectivity and balance.
The Coordinator of the Science Quiz Coordination, Mr. David Oyintare Enemiebor, thanked NCDMB for expanding participation by increasing the number of schools from 16 to 32, and raising the profile of the event through the quality prizes it provides for award to participating schools and students. “NCDMB, you have made great impact,” he stated.
The event was rounded off with the award of prizes to the schools and students who represented the winning institutions.

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Wednesday concurred with the House of Representatives on the Factoring Assignment and Receivables Financing Bill, 2026, a measure aimed at expanding access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and deepening domestic and international trade.

The Bill seeks to establish a legal and regulatory framework for debt factoring, a financing arrangement that allows businesses to convert unpaid invoices and credit sales into immediate cash.

Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the legislation would create an enabling environment for alternative financing mechanisms and strengthen liquidity for businesses across the country.

According to him, the Bill provides a framework governing factoring contracts between sellers and financiers, while clearly defining the rights and obligations of all parties involved.

Bamidele said: “The Factoring Assignment and Receivable Financing Bill 2026 seeks to create a regulatory framework that would facilitate the development of debt factoring as an alternative means of financing for domestic and international trade in Nigeria and provide an enabling environment for it to thrive.”

He added: “The bill makes provisions for factoring contracts between the seller and the factor, sets out the relationship between the creditor and the factor, and defines their respective rights and obligations.”

The Senate Leader noted that the legislation had successfully passed through all legislative stages in the House of Representatives and had met all procedural requirements for Senate concurrence.

Supporting the bill, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, described the measure as a major intervention for small businesses struggling with liquidity constraints.

Abiru explained that the proposed law would enable enterprises to convert credit sales into working capital without resorting to conventional loans.

He said: “In simple terms, what this bill seeks to do is provide a regulatory framework to support financing arrangements that will help most of our micro, small and medium enterprises convert their credit sales into immediate cash and provide liquidity and working capital.”

The Lagos East senator noted that factoring had become a major financing instrument across Africa, especially through the activities of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

According to him, the African factoring market is currently worth more than $50 billion, but Nigeria accounts for less than one per cent of the market.

Abiru said: “The size of that market today is in excess of $50 billion, and Nigeria’s share is under one per cent.”

He added: “Countries like Egypt and Morocco have benefited largely from this, and passing this legislation will support our MSMEs in converting credit sales into cash without resorting to conventional borrowing arrangements.”

Following unanimous support from lawmakers, the bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole for clause-by-clause consideration after which it was passed.

The legislation is expected to improve access to finance, modernise commercial transactions and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.

END

By George Mgbeleke

A fire outbreak in the Senate wing of the National Assembly was quickly contained on Wednesday, preventing it from spreading beyond the kitchen compartment of Hearing Room 107.

The incident occurred shortly after the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, concluded the screening of Dr. Zainab Marwa as the member representing the North East on the commission’s board.

It was gathered that the fire emanated from a microwave oven left on in the kitchen area which led to smoke from the fire to rapidly filled the hearing room, causing brief commotion among officials and journalists present.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), and Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central) swiftly intervened to put out the fire before it could escalate.

The quick action of the two lawmakers ensured the fire was extinguished and normal activities resumed shortly after.

No injuries or significant damage to property were reported as at the time of filing this report.

Earlier during the screening, lawmakers expressed satisfaction with the response of Marwa to the questions put to her over the new role in the NDDC.

President Bola Tinubu had last week asked the Senate to confirm the nominee as a member of the Governing Board of the NDDC.

The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who read the letter containing the request during plenary, referred it to the committee for legislative process and report back within two weeks