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The Nigerian Institute
of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, Plateau has commenced
academic activities.
The Provost of the
institute, Professor Idowu Odeyemi made the disclosure
during a familiarization visit to the institute by the
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed
Sada.
Professor Odeyemi
disclosed that the institute commenced academic activities
in April 2010 with the first set of 31 Post Graduate Diploma
Certificate students.
The Provost explained
that the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences was
established by government to produce a new class of highly
trained professional Mining Engineers and Geoscientists with
practical exposure and technical skills required to prepare
them adequately for Nigeria’s emerging mining industry.
Professor Odeyemi
explained that the institute which is the first of its kind
in the country is designed to train three categories of
students, comprising those who:
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Possess a BSC or HND in Mining
Engineering, Minerals Engineering and Processing and
Mineral Exploration;
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Wish to carry out Post graduate Research
in Mining and Geosciences,
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Wish to take short duration courses on
specific areas of the mining industry as a means of
upgrading their professional capabilities and knowledge
in mining geosciences.
He explained that the institute is strictly
practical orientated and provides field and laboratory
training for all categories of its students.
According to the provost, the Institute is
operating at three campuses: The Tudun Wada Campus, the
Mining Community Resource Center and the Miango road Campus.
The Provost sought the assistance of the
Honourable Minister in addressing the challenges confronting
the institute such as: lack of an enabling law of
establishment, non budgetary appropriation and take off
grant.
Professor Odeyemi disclosed that the
institute is being financed through the World Bank Assisted
Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project in the
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
While responding, the Minister of Mines and
Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed Sada, expressed his
appreciation to the management and staff of the institute
for the commencement of academic activities, adding that it
was a step in the right direction.
Arc. Sada reiterated that the human capital
resource was germane to the development of any organization
and industry, adding that the mining industry was not an
exception.
He noted that the beneficiaries of the
various courses and programmes at the institute will help
fast track the development of Nigeria’s mining industry.
The Minister said that the knowledge and
skills acquired by Nigerians at the institute would empower
them to be active players and employers of labour in
Nigeria’s emerging mining industry.
Arc. Sada assured that the Ministry was
intensifying efforts and taking the necessary steps towards
a speedy passage of the bills for the establishment of the
Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos and the
Metallurgical Training institute, Onitsha at the National
Assembly.
The Minister assured that every necessary
thing would be done to make the two institutes centres of
excellence in training and supplying the required manpower
needs for the development of the Mines and Steel Sector in
Nigeria.
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