By Kehinde Olatunji 08 January 2024 | 1:45 am President of Nigerian Welders Association (NWA), Dada Salmon, yesterday, refuted the claim by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, that the country lacks certified mechanical welders, while seeking government’s collaboration to bridge the gap in the labour force. Say Nigeria has more qualified welders in Africa President of Nigerian Welders Association (NWA), Dada Salmon, yesterday, refuted the claim by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, that the country lacks certified mechanical welders, while seeking government’s collaboration to bridge the gap in the labour force. Nnaji, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for academic and industry collaborations between National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Limited, lamented that Nigeria lost $10 billion yearly to imported welders engaged in various sectors of the economy. He said the newly-commissioned Dangote Refinery employed about 11,000 welders, lamenting that none was Nigerian. He said although Nigeria has over one million welders, none had international certification, which would enable them to work in the oil and gas sectors of the economy. But, according to Salmon, the association has a lot of capable hands to handle capital projects in Nigeria and identified Dangote sugar refinery, oil storage facility contract, West Africa gas line from Escravos to Ghana and AKK pipeline project from Kogi to Kaduna as some of the projects executed by the association. He said: “The report by the minister about Nigeria not having enough certified welders is not true. Nigeria boasts more qualified welders in Africa. Most of our welders are qualified and certified by Nigeria Welders Institute (NWI) and have international experience in collaboration with foreigners. “We urge the minister and government to dig deep into NWA and harness the quality labour force that the association possesses. By doing so, we can have a vibrant workforce and a great economy. The NWA is willing and available to collaborate with the American Petroleum Institute (API) and NWI for a better economy.” NOW In a move intended to send the Naira soaring, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed approximately $61.64 million to foreign airlines operating in the country through various banks in fulfilment of its commitment to clear pending matured foreign exchange (FX) obligations. 4 mins ago General Overseer, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Worldwide, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, yesterday, at the Mgbidi 2024 Lagos Experience, held at the church’s headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos, urged Christians to pray for leaders and the church. 24 mins ago President of Nigerian Welders Association (NWA), Dada Salmon, yesterday, refuted the claim by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, that the country lacks certified mechanical welders, while seeking government’s collaboration to bridge the gap in the labour force. 28 mins ago Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has called for immediate stop to the prosecution of Chairman, Social Party of Nigeria (SPN), Abiodun Bamigboye (popularly known as Abbey Trotsky) by the Oyo State Police Commissioner. 1 day ago The Ministry of Information and National Orientation acknowledges the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. 1 day ago The Kogi Government is set to unveil a new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland out of the 70 contestants screened by a committee to succeed the late Dr Ado Ibrahim, an official has said. 1 day ago The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Sunday urged President Bola Tinubu to give more priority to the security of lives and properties of the citizens. 1 day ago Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, Commissioner of Police (CP) in Jigawa has assured applicants for the Police Constable Cadre recruitment in the state, of transparency 1 day ago A socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Youth, has said those bent on making sure that the Renewed Hope Poverty Alleviation policy of President Bola Tinubu did not succeed were after the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, due to what they described as the minister’s uncompromising stand against saboteurs. Ohanaeze Youth said this in… 1 day ago The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Emeka Obegolu, has applauded the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for providing consistent power supply to consumers during the festive season.
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