By Uthman Baba-Naseer

The Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry has been told that a total of thirty three Corpse of the Miners that died in the Custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC) were deposited at the Minna General Hospital against the thirty seven earlier reported in the Media.

A Private Mortician in-charge of Minna General Mortuary Dr. Chinweokwu Alaribe stated this while testifying before the Judicial Commission at its resumed sitting on Tuesday in Minna..

He explained that the corpse that were brought to the hospital were thirty three as against the thirty seven that were widely reported in the media,stating that” I’m only aware that thirty three Corpse were brought in not aware of any thirty seven as reported.

“ I cannot count the corpse that was not in Mortuary,I only know that thirty three Corpse were brought to me” he said..

According to the Mortician,the Mortuary is being manage by a private individual known as Respectful care Martician and he is a staff .

Dr. Alaribe told the nine members of the Commission that on the 17th September,2027, a total of thirty three corpses were brought in to the Minna General Hospital morgue in two batches in an ambulance.

He stated that the corpse were accompanied to the hospital by two nurses from the medical unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC).

He gave the names of the Nurses as Nurse Mariam and Nurse Hauwa of the NSCDC Medical unit in Minna.

Dr. Alaribe who is also known and called “Dr. Miller” told the Commission that when the thirty three Corpses were brought and deposited at the open floor of the Minna General Hospital,it was noticed that some fluid and blood were ouzing out from their nose and mouth and some part of their skin were pilling.

He further told the Commission that out of the thirty three Corpse, twenty were released to their relatives for burial in the evening of that particular day,while ten were released in two diferen day and three of the corpses were still deposited in the mortuary yet to be released.

Answering question from the Director of Public Prosecution in the office of the Attorney General of Niger State, Mallam Nuraini Usman Baba Esq, on why he released the twenty corpses to their relatives,Dr Abaribe said,” I released the corpses because the crowd were forcing themselves in to the hospital to the point that they even destroying the gate.”

The Mortician disclosed three Corpse of Kabir Suleiman,Samuel Sambo and Emeka Emmanuel are still in the Morgue yet to be received by the relatives.

He further stated that the three corpses were kept on the order of the Presidential panel of inquiry that will come to inspect the corpse

The disclosed that the sum of one million and (N1.5m)five hundred thousand naira were deposited to the hospital by the NSCDC through Nurse Mariam being the amounth for ambulance that conveyed the Corps from their headquarters to the general hospital

Testifying earlier,the Deputy Director Land and Survey in the state Ministry of Land and Housings Umar Nagya, the Commission that the Mining site within M.I Wushishi Housing Estate,is a private layout fully registered with the Ministry of Land under Minna town planing and titled as MTP 163.

He said is owned by Gwadabawa and sold to a private individual now El-Amin University site registered as NGIS 15195 now owned by El-Amin University.

He confirmed that the Ministry of Land is aware of the Mining activities in the area but “not in official capacity”

He further confirmed that the Ministry has severally received complaint from some individuals on the activities of miners in the area stating that for the fact that the Miners in their data base do reference them to ministry of solid minerals and Niger State Urban control under the Niger State Urban Development Board.

Three witnesses separately testified before the Commission,which, included,the North Central Coordinator of the Mining Cadestral office Engr. Henry Temidayo Bolawale,the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Service Zuma Mineral Development, Dr. Abubakar Abubakar, and Director Solid Minerals in the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Mr. Israel Kolo

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has launched a 12month training program at Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Osogbo, Osun State. The initiative will equip 60 young Nigerians with specialized expertise in oil and gas engineering as well as other critical technical skills, fostering a new generation of industry-ready professionals.

The programme is on the back of the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC HCD) Training Programme for Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s EPU Phase 2 Gas Development Project. It is designed to equip participants with advanced technical expertise. The curriculum spans engineering design, fitter machining, conventional machine tool operations, programming, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), electrical and mechanical maintenance, and document control.

Structured over 12 months, the programme combines six months of intensive classroom instruction with six months of supervised on-the-job training in reputable companies. Graduates are expected to earn internationally recognized certifications upon completion.

At the official launch held at Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Osogbo, Osun State, NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to bridging critical technical skills gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Represented by Mr. Tare Bufazi, Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, Bamidele described the initiative as a strategic intervention to address manpower shortages and prepare Nigerians for meaningful participation across the oil and gas value chain.

“The importance of this programme cannot be overstated,” he noted, revealing that the 60 trainees—comprising 33 graduates and 27 vocational trainees—would undergo specialized training tailored to industry needs. He emphasized that NCDMB’s mission extends beyond promoting local participation to building the technical capabilities required to sustain the sector. Human capacity development, he stressed, is central to strengthening local content, creating opportunities, and advancing the Federal Government’s industrialization agenda.

Bamidele urged participants to approach the programme with discipline and commitment, highlighting that it offers more than certificates—it builds practical competence and professional experience for long-term careers. He also acknowledged the contributions of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Seflam SGL, and Nigeria Machine Tools, whose collaboration made the initiative possible.

Speaking on behalf of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Richard Oyiborhor, Interface and Integration Manager for the NLNG Supply Project, reiterated the company’s dedication to nurturing Nigerian talent and strengthening local capabilities. He commended NCDMB’s leadership in advancing Nigerian content and praised the partnership with Seflam SGL and Nigeria Machine Tools as a vital step in developing the nation’s industrial workforce.

Mrs. Bisola Agboluaje, Senior Manager, Business Interface at Seflam SGL, congratulated the trainees and traced the programme’s origins to 2024, when NCDMB approved the training plans. She described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in Nigeria’s technical talent pool.

Nigeria Machine Tools’ Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Obehi Ojeagha, welcomed the participants and lauded the collaboration. She emphasized the institution’s 46-year legacy in supporting Nigeria’s industrial development and expressed confidence that the trainees would acquire the skills, discipline, and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to the oil and gas sector.

By David Owei, Yenagoa

A group, the Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its preferred candidate for the 2027 Presidential Elections.
The group said Tinubu’s reforms has shown that he has the boldness to tackle the demands of the Niger Delta people.

Convener of the group, Amb. Nse Victor Udoh, made the declaration at an event organised by the group in Bayelsa State to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence with the theme: “The Legacy of Bold Reforms: Evaluative Review of the Tinubu Reforms in Three Years in Relation to the Quest For Sustainable Development for Niger Deltans”.

He said people of the Niger Delta are currently demanding 25 percent derivation, adding that from all the frontline presidential candidates, only Tinubu has the boldness to take such difficult decision in the interest of the region.
Udoh said the group is supporting Tinubu also because the First Lady of the country, Senator Remi Tinubu is a daughter of the region.

“From all indications, all human beings are political animals, and we have seen that political decisions and participation, guide all the management of the resources in our region.

The Niger Delta people are asking for the upping of our resource derivation formula from 13% to 25%. And we see that it’s a difficult decision to take.

“We have looked at the three front-line candidates in the forthcoming elections and we think that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the boldness that he has displayed, the decisions that he has taken from removal of oil subsidy and the rest of them, that are very tough, it is clear that he is the one that can align with this kind of decision.

“So, as moved by the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the Niger Delta Progressive Alliance and the entire hall responding in unison from all angles, it’s clear that the Niger Delta people, through the Niger Delta Progressive Alliance, a community-based organization relating with the lowest people at the grassroots, have given the thumbs-up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform and are endorsing him for 2027 Election because of two major reasons; his reform possibilities and the fact that the First Lady is one of our daughters, ” Udoh stated.

He added that President Tinubu’s decision especially with the removal of fuel subsidy has ensured that there is money for the government to embark on infrastructural development in the country.

He said the president in three years has proven what he can do for the country, assuring that the Niger Delta people would respond by voting massively for him in 2027.

“Niger Delta people are interested in real reality and the real reality that has guaranteed availability of funds for infrastructural development is what we will go with.

“The second one is that all of the candidates are only saying what they will do.This president in three years has demonstrated what he can do through tough decisions. And that tough decision is what will guarantee the development of our country.
“All nations of the world that has developed before, developed on tough decisions.

“Like the president said last week that the days of decisions are over. It’s now time for prosperity. Niger Delta people from all over our communities, we will report back at the elections, ” he declared.

He assured that in 2027, aside the North-West, the Niger Delta region will bring back the second highest votes as it was during the 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections.

Udoh said the group is already putting in place structures to comb the entire region in canvassing votes for President Tinubu.

Also speaking, Chief Jato Abido, a stakeholder said Nigerians before now knew what was wrong with the country but lacked the boldness to take those decisions.
He said Tinubu’s bold decisions had ensured that governors including those from the Niger Delta States have more funds to carryout developmental projects.

He also pointed to some Tinubu’s decisions in the region to include the support for the Presidential Amnesty Project (PAP) the establishment of the Federal University of Environment Technology in Ogoniland, the ongoing Ogoni Clean-up Exercise embarked upon by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road amongst others.

The National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council (NANS-JCC) Chairman, Bayelsa State, Comrade Lucky Michael, said Tinubu’s decision to institute the National Education Fund (NELFUND) which has now made students who couldn’t afford their fees to go to school has been a blessing to the students community in the region.

He noted that before now, several students had to drop out of school because of their inability to pay their fees but the scheme has given them assurance of completing their education.

The students’ leader, however, appealed to the government to resolve the delays encountered by some students who have applied and are yet to access the funds.

“We are grateful to the Federal Government. We are grateful for this initiative to empower Nigerian students and appeal that this should continue and be sustained.

“And as many that have applied, the delay process should be sorted out because some schools don’t allow them to write exams, so we are pleading with the Federal Government and to the bodies in charge of this, to look into it and see that those things are taken care of,” he said.

On the controversial issue of fuel subsidy Ambassador Udoh said; “We reject the return of fuel subsidy because of it’s massive fraudulent process, as we supported subsidy removal during President Goodluck Luck Jonathan’s administration, our position has not changed”.