By Danlami Nasir Isah
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has successfully graduated a batch of 20 young Nigerians from the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School. The five-month commercial air dive training program, conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and Mieka Dive Training Institute (MDTI), aimed to enhance in-country capacity in underwater diving and reduce the reliance on foreign professionals in the industry.
Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, highlighted the rapid expansion of the Nigerian offshore industry and the need for aggressive skills development to support strategic projects. He emphasized that the training program sought to address the dominance of foreign professionals in the diving industry in Nigeria. The NCDMB’s mandate is to develop Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry, with a focus on human capital development in areas of identified skills gaps.
Wabote expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian Navy and Mieka Dive Institute for their support and commitment to safety in making the program a success. He noted that the newly certified Class-I and Class-II divers graduating from the program will be valuable assets in line with the NCDMB’s objective of developing a qualified pool of divers. He encouraged the graduates to continue to work hard and to continuously upgrade their skills and certifications to meet the global demands of the industry.
The Special Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, representing the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, praised both the consultants and the trainees for successfully completing the extensive study and rigorous diving training. He commended the graduates for their discipline, hard work, determination, and excellence, and urged them to uphold these values in their future endeavors.
Commander Ibrahim Adewuyi, the Commanding Officer of the Underwater Warfare School, acknowledged the challenges that the school faced during the training period but expressed his delight that these challenges were receiving necessary attention for future improvements. He urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the school and wished them success as they embark on their commercial diving careers.
During the graduation ceremony, certificates and awards were presented to the graduates. William Godsgift was recognized as the Best Student at Practicals, Animiuworio Direla received the Best Behaved Student Award, Edemu Anthonia was awarded the Best Student with an average score of 83%, and Aladdin John emerged as the Overall Best Student with a total average score of 85.6%.
A highlight of the ceremony was a live demonstration of commercial air diving by a group of graduates who simulated dive competence training in a 30-meter inshore surface tanker. This demonstration showcased the skills and capabilities that the trainees acquired during the program. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) criterion for certification was fulfilled by the graduates, ensuring that they are equipped to meet industry standards.
The collaboration between NCDMB, the Nigerian Navy, and MDTI demonstrates a commitment to developing the diving industry in Nigeria and promoting local content. The NCDMB remains dedicated to human capital development and the advancement of the oil and gas industry, with a focus on addressing skills gaps and creating job opportunities for qualified Nigerians.