Mohammed Shosanya

Nigeria’s Folashade Adekeye has emerged as the Chairperson, Forum of the Directors of Oil & Gas Training & Vocational Education Institutes of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO).

Adekeye, who is the Director, NNPC Academy, took over from the former chairperson, Mr. Abdelkader Guenone, the Managing Director of the Algerian Petroleum Institute (API), during the second meeting of the Forum, in Abuja, at the weekend.

Adekeye,who heads the NNPC’s oil and gas training arm, brings into the role over 30 years of experience, and is expected to work with her colleagues from APPO Member Countries in order to foster more collaboration towards addressing the challenges of competences, skill gaps, infrastructure, and poor funding in the organization’s training institutions.

According to a statement by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, earlier in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, represented by Inuwa Danladi, Executive Vice President (Business Services), emphasized the importance of a standardized educational and training approach to meet the changing demands of the oil and gas industry.

In his keynote address, APPO’s Secretary General, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, charged the Member Countries to work towards further enhancing collaborative efforts to establish Oil & Gas Centres of Excellence across the African continent.

Dr. Ibrahim, also from Nigeria, said having good knowledge of the Forum’s challenges would enable APPO member countries to make recommendations and provide solutions in areas such as Oil & Gas project funding, technology adoption, and the formation of Africa Energy Bank.

He added that such collaboration by all member countries will guarantee Africa’s energy accessibility, affordability and sustainability, which overall, will strengthen her economies and bring prosperity to its citizens.

Mohammed Shosanya

Dr. Olumide A. Ajayi, Executive Director/CEO of the Africa Leadership Foundation, has been selected by the African Union (AU) to serve on its Reference Group.

This position was advanced in line with Goal 17 of Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 at the 37th Summit of the AU, held earlier in the year with the objective of addressing the high preponderance of Gender Based Violence perpetrated majorly against women in Africa.

According to the AU, the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence in conflict situations and harmful practices will help to bridge the inequality gap between men and women.

The group, which is expected to provide advisory and technical support in drafting and negotiating a Convention for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (C-EVAWG) among member states, comprises leading legal and gender experts on the continent.

The reference group will provide expertise on the text of the draft convention, including addressing contestations, finding consensus and ensuring compliance/alignment with the AU agreement language on issues under discussion.

According to a statement,Dr Ajayi alongside other well meaning experts in the development space across Africa will be steering this group. The group is expected to function until the adoption of the Convention by the Assembly of Heads of States.

Dr. Ajayi is a Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) advocate and expert with pedigree. As Advisor and Consultant to a number of African countries, UN Agencies and inter-governmental Organisations, he has devoted a great amount of professional expertise in the design of performance and accountability framework for some of Africa’s women rights instrument including the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) and the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa generally known as the Maputo Protocol.

He will bring to the Reference Group his wealth of experience in gender, development, and inclusive governance.

The reference group is the first of its kind in the global setting and the United Nations (UN) is very keen on supporting its emergence.

Mohammed Shosanya

Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari has won the Energy Times’ GCEO of the Year Award in recognition of his commitment to accountability, transparency, and performance excellence.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Company, Mr. Olufemi Soneye received the award on behalf of the NNPC boss, in a ceremony held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Friday.

According to the Governing Council of Energy Times Award Committee,Kyari’s hardwork has played a significant role in the company’s success and has contributed significantly to the growth of the energy sector in Nigeria.

Kyari said the NNPC Ltd, which has been on transition since the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has been championing the push to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered nation in keeping with its enormous natural endowment with over 209 trillion cubic feet proven natural gas reserves.

Mohammed Shosanya

Ifeanyi Odiaka,a prominent Nigerian businessman,is currently in grief on account of the sudden death of his wife,Stella Ngozi Odiaka.

Mrs. Ngozi Stella Odiaka succumbed to illness at a hospital in Anambra State on Sunday evening, March 24th, 2024, leaving behind a wave of sorrow among her family and loved ones.

She will be buried on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, in her husband’s hometown of Iruoyim Ezinteje Village,Nteje.

Born on September 19th, 1986, in Itu-ukpa Village, Obi-Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Mrs. Stella Ngozi Odiaka was known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family.

Ifeanyi and Ngozi exchanged marital vows in 2017,and they were blessed with three beautiful children: Chidiebube Ifeanyi Odiaka (son), Sochukwuma Ifeanyi Odiaka (son), and Chimuzurukeme Ifeanyi Odiaka.

The passing of Mrs. Stella Ngozi Odiaka has left a profound void in the hearts of her husband, children, extended family, and friends. As they navigate through this period of immense loss, they drew strength from cherished memories and the enduring legacy of love and compassion that Mrs. Odiaka leaves behind.

The Odiaka’s family seeks solace in the outpouring of support and condolences from their community and beyond. They remained grateful for the love and prayers extended to them during this difficult period.

The memory of Mrs. Stella Ngozi Odiaka will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her,a statement said.

Mrs. Folake Soetan, Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric Plc, has been awarded the Outstanding Woman in Energy (Power Sector) by the Women in Maritime & Energy Awards (WIME), in celebration of her exemplary leadership, and advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion of all resources, particularly the female gender in the sector.

WIME was founded as a pioneer platform to support Africa’s gender advancement initiatives, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), through a yearly nation-wide nomination, recognizing the sterling achievements of notable women in the maritime and energy sectors.

Receiving the award, Mrs. Soetan, commended the organisers for the recognition and dedicated the achievement to the staff of Ikeja Electric, “Thank you so much, WIME; I am here today because of the creativity and doggedness of my team. Over the years, we have evolved and emerged the trail blazer in the dynamic energy value chain”,she said.

Speaking on behalf of the WIME Advisory & Steering Board, Mrs. Chizoba C. Anyika, expressed that the awards aim to demonstrate how a mutually supportive environment can help enable great business outcomes across all parts of the maritime and energy business.

“As more women are emerging achievers at higher levels in these sectors than ever before, it is imperative to celebrate and tell the stories of the advancement and successes recorded as well as the greater value and development women are bringing by providing their expertise, experience, knowledge, education and talent to enhance business results”she added.

Mohammed Shosanya

Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu has assumed duty as the new Director of Naval Information and official Spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy.

Rear Admiral J D Akpan, the Admiral Chief of Policy and Plans, in a recent statement,said that Adams-Aliu’s appointment was approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

He took over from Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan who has been redeployed to Headquarters Naval Training Command as the Chief Staff Officer.

The new Director of Naval Information was born on Dec.15, 1977 in Lagos into the family of Sir & Lady Adams Aliu.

“Notably, his father, Sir Adams-Aliu, is a veteran journalist who worked extensively as an editor with Daily Times of Nigeria.

“Consequently, the young Aiwuyor was exposed to the inner workings of the journalism profession early in life and developed a flair for public speaking and media relations.

“Adams-Aliu attended Shepherd Hill Primary School and Kings College Lagos before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1995, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1999.

“He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in the year 2000 as a member of 47 Regular Course.

“Commodore Adams-Aliu has attended several professional courses including the Captain Career Course at United States Army Infantry School, Atlanta, from 2007 to 2008.

“He also attended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, for the Junior and Senior Staff Courses in 2004 and 2010 respectively.

“Adams-Aliu later graduated from the Naval War College Nigeria in 2018 and the United States Naval War College in 2019.

“The new Naval spokesperson commenced his naval career, serving as Watch Keeping Officer onboard various Nigerian Navy Ships from year 2000 to 2004,” he said.

Akpan said that Adams-Aliu, also served as a military observer in the United Nations Mission in Liberia from 2011 – 2012.

“He was the Officer in Charge of Nigerian Navy Ship BENIN and Squadron Commander of SHALDAG Boat squadron from 2013 to 2014 and between 2016 and 2018.

“He was the Pioneer Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship KARADUWA, the second Nigerian Navy (indigenously) built Seaward Defence Boat (SDBII).

“From 2019 – 2020, he served as the Principal Staff Officer (Navy) to the then Chief of Defence Staff, General AG Olonisakin (rtd).

“Thereafter, from July 2020 to June 2021, he obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defence University, Washington DC, where he won the award as Most Outstanding International Fellow in the College of International Security Affairs (CISA) for year 2021.

“On graduation in 2021, Adams-Aliu was deployed as a Directing Staff and Member of Faculty at the Naval War College Nigeria.

“In March 2023, he assumed office as the Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base BADAGRY, and was later appointed Deputy Director Plans at Naval Headquarters in January 2024.

“The next month, he was elevated to the post of Director Naval Information ,” he said.

He said Adams-Aliu’s career experience which traverses command duties ashore and afloat, staff duties and training of subordinate officers exposed him to the gamut of naval operations and administration thus equipping him for higher responsibilities such as his recent appointment.

“His awards and decorations are Passed Staff Course, Meritorious Service Star, United Nations Medal, Nigerian Navy Command at Sea Badge, and Distinguished Fellow of the Naval War College.

“Commodore Adams-Aliu is an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).

“He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), and the United States Naval Institute (USNI)”.

Mohammed Shosanya

Seplat Energy Plc,has emerged as the Leadership Newspaper Oil & Gas Company of the Year.

The company was honoured at the recently concluded Leadership Annual Conference and Awards held in Abuja.

According to the Leadership Group, Seplat Energy was recognised for striving to end routine flares in its operations by committing $11.5m towards projects that will end flaring and another $10.8m towards installing gas compression facilities at the flow stations in Amukpe, Oben and Sapele.

The group stated: “Seplat Energy is a leading supplier of processed natural gas to the expanding Nigerian domestic market with working interest gas volumes averaged 112.3 million metric standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), 30 percent of processed gas used for electricity in Nigeria.

“In 2023, the company committed $11.5m towards projects that will end routine flares in its operations, including $10.8m towards installing gas compression facilities at the flow stations in Amukpe, Oben and Sapele, and $0.7m towards incineration at the Amukpe flow station.

“With a significantly high indigenous workforce of 98 per cent, Seplat Energy seeks to ensure there is a positive multiplier effect on the local economy through significant local content spend, enhancing the Company’s local supply chain and contributing to a thriving and competitive local market”.

Seeking to use local business partners has also simultaneously reduced Seplat Energy’s operating costs and project risks by developing a mutually beneficial relationship with the Company’s local partners, the Leadership Newspaper said.

The media group also commended Seplat Energy award of the ISO 55001 Asset Management certification, which now subjects the company to annual surveillance audits in 2023 and 2024 and a recertification audit in April 2025 in line with ISO 55001 3-yearly certification renewal cycle.

The Chairman, Leadership Group, Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah, earlier in her remarks, said the conference and awards provided an exceptional platform in setting the agenda and offering solutions to many of the country’s problems and to reward excellence in business and politics.

The keynote address of the event was delivered by the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and renowned political economist, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu.

Commenting on the awards, the Director, External Affairs & Social performance, Chioma Afe, thanked the Leadership Group for the honour and recognition.

She said: “Seplat Energy has a sustained ability to deliver growth across board and will continue to create the needed value for all its stakeholders. Today, we are challenged by this award to continue to do and give more as a Company.”

Seplat Energy was represented at the event by its Strategic & Corporate Intelligence Manager, Ibrahim Muhammed; and the Senior Government Relations Adviser, Sagagi Auwalu.

Mohammed Shosanya

Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo),Elohor Aboni has won the 2023 Energy Personality Award at the just-concluded 2024 edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja.

She recorded the highest number of online votes in that category from industry participants ahead of the summit.

She added:”I’m humbled by this recognition of my modest contributions to the oil and gas industry,” an elated but surprised Elohor said, as she was conferred with the award at the gala dinner and award night. It is a tribute to the support and collaboration of Shell management and my colleagues as we work to deliver value to Nigeria and other stakeholders from SNEPCo’s deep-water operations.”

A chemical engineer by background, Elohor has blazed the trail in the oil and gas industry since joining Shell in 2002.

Among other roles, she served in production operations, project and asset management as well as operations readiness and assurance. She also managed third-party interface across several Shell assets in Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

Elohor was named Managing Director of SNEPCo in 2021, the first female in the top job. Under her leadership, SNEPCo has continued to break new grounds at Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water production. Bonga, which began production in 2005, achieved a 1-billion-barrel oil export mark in February 2023.

 

 Mohammed Shosanya

Seplat Energy,has announced the appointment of Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma as the Company’s new Independent Non-Executive Chairman to succeed Mr. Basil Omiyi who will retire on March 31, 2024.

Mr. Udoma’s appointment was approved after a unanimous vote by Directors of Seplat Energy, in compliance with the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act (“CAMA”) 2020 and is effective April 1, 2024,it said in a statement on Thursday.

The company  also appointed Mr. Bello Rabiu as the new Senior Independent Non- Executive Director effective April 1, 2024, to succeed Dr. Charles Okeahalam who will be retiring March 31, 2024.

According to the statement,these appointments are in line with the Board Succession Forward Plan announced via Corporate Announcement on April 25, 2023 (RNS: 3575X) and via a subsequent Corporate Announcement on November 1, 2023 (RNS: 0096S) wherein it was announced that Mr. Basil Omiyi and Dr Charles Okeahalam will retire from the Board on March 31, 2024.

It added that the appointments further demonstrate the commitment of the Board to upholding its strong corporate governance culture and in establishing a truly independent Board.

Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma: Mr. Udoma is an accomplished lawyer and seasoned board administrator. Mr. Udoma attended St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, England where he obtained a B.A. (Law) degree and a B.C.L. degree in jurisprudence. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. He founded the Law Firm Udo-Udoma & Belo Osagie in 1983 and retired from active legal practice in early 2020.

Whilst in practice, Mr. Udoma specialized in advising on Nigerian investment laws and the investment environment, particularly in the petroleum, energy, and natural resources sectors.

He advised Nigerian and international companies on company law, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and the raising of financing in the capital and money markets, as well as on major construction and engineering contracts.

Mr. Udoma has served on a number of large sized company boards. He was Chairman of UAC Nigeria Plc and Union Bank Plc and served on the boards of companies such as Unilever Nigeria Plc., Linkage Assurance Plc and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited.

He has also held a number of public sector appointments. He was the first Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and has also served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

He was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources from September 1993 to March 1994 and served as Minister of Budget & National Planning from 2015 to 2019. He was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1999 and served for two terms from 1999 to 2007. Mr. Udoma is currently the Pro-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Mr. Bello Rabiu: Mr. Bello Rabiu holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mathematical Statistics from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria and another Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from The Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.

He attended many career advancements courses in Nigeria and abroad including the prestigious Wharton Executive Development Program from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA and Leading Global Business Program from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.

Before his new role as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dankiri Farms and Commodities Limited, Mr. Rabiu retired from the services of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in July 2019 after 28 years of service.

He retired from NNPC as the Chief Operating Officer/Group Executive Director (COO/GED), Upstream Business Unit. Prior to his appointment as COO/GED Upstream, NNPC. Mr. Rabiu held dual positions of Group General Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy Division and Senior Technical Assistant to Group Managing Director, NNPC.

He was also the General Manager, Competitive Analysis Department of the same Division from September 2010 till August 11th, 2015. He was at various times between 1991 and 2005 a planning officer and Pioneer Head, Material Management, Frontier Exploration Services at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) Division of NNPC.

As COO/GED Upstream of NNPC, Mr. Rabiu oversaw the activities of the Corporation’s Upstream businesses, including; National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and NNPC Oil Field Services (NOFS).

He has a balanced knowledge of the Exploration & Production industry in Nigeria with unusual capability which combines commercial/fiscal knowledge with operations. This was particularly valuable in the development of the 2016 Nigerian Government approved upstream Joint Venture funding scheme which has restored the confidence of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Independent Partners in Nigeria’s Upstream Joint Venture resulting in increased national oil production of 2.3mbpd by 2019.

He was responsible for the implementation of the 7 Critical Domestic Gas Development Projects (including AGPC), an offshoot of Nigerian Gas Master Plan aimed at using gas for Nigeria’s industrialization, economic growth, and development – where significant consideration had to be given to strategic intent, fiscal rules, and commerciality of supply.

Speaking on the appointments, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the Chairman of Seplat Energy, said:

“Seplat Energy’s commitment to strong corporate governance remains unwavering and is demonstrated by the recent appointment of Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma and Mr. Bello Rabiu as the new chairman and SINED respectively.  

“We are confident that under their guidance, Seplat Energy will continue to expand and consolidate its position as Nigeria’s leading energy company and the partner of choice to deliver energy transition for Africa’s largest economy and its rapidly growing population.”

Mohammed Shosanya

Chevron Nigeria Limited (“CNL”), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL, was on Tuesday,recognized with the Sustainable Energy Business award at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES).

The company conveyed this in a statement signed by Esimaje Brikinn,General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs.

The award presented by the Minister for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, was in recognition of the company’s long-term commitment and contribution to the social and economic development of the country through its strategic investments in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

Speaking,Rick Kennedy, Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, said the company is encouraged by this award stating that Chevron would continue to build on its existing assets.

He added:“Chevron remains committed to our partnership with Nigeria in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations in Nigeria and delivering a reliable, ever cleaner and efficient energy supply that is critical to the development of the Nigerian economy.”

Kennedy,who was represented at the event by Cosmas Iwueze, Director, NNPC/Joint Venture Operations, assured that the company remains committed to supporting the social and economic development of Nigeria and desires to grow its business in Nigeria.