By ODIMMEGWA JOHNPETER/ABUJA
As part of the preparation for the 235th Council of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) bided to take place in Abuja on Saturday, 22nd June 2019 the outgoing President of the society Professor Silas Sunday Ada led the new executive members on a courtesy call to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Abuja, today 21st June 2019.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu in his remark said that NMGS is the pivot on which the wheel of development of the mining sector revolves. According to him for the sector to triumph there is need for proper synergy between the ministry and the society.
Dr Mu’azu said that the ministry is poised to give necessary support not only to the society but for the president to succeed in his tenure. He thanked the incoming president who is also the Director General of Mining Cadastra Office Engr. Obediah Simon Nkom.He urged him to improve on the legacies left behind by his predecessor. In his words, ‘Am not surprised of your new position considering your immense contributions to the mining industry’
Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary challenged the NMGS new executives to braze up with the challenges ahead of them especially in the area of mining exploration certification, which he noted was hitherto done beyond the shores of Nigeria. Mu’azu assured them that the ministry is ever ready to work hand in glove with the society to achieve the overall objectives of the mining sector.
Earlier, the new President of NMGS Engr. Obediah Simon Nkom thanked the Permanent Secretary for granting him and his executives audience which to him is a clear sign of acceptance. He said that as a society being regulated by MMSD, NMGS cannot afford to work contrary to its aims and objectives. He said that NMGS imbibes the popular maxim that says ‘the wealth of a nation lies beneath her foot’.
Engr Nkom x-rayed the achievements of the society since inception in 1961 to include: starting with a few members to over four thousand members presently. He pointed out the society has produced journals of international standard which speaks volume of their achievements and modus oparandi .
In addition, Nkom informed the Permanent Secretary and Directors in the ministry that he was happy to inform them that the newly appointed Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr Mele Kolo Kyri is a member of NMGS, among other achievements.