Featured
PETAN Unveils VIPs, Speakers For OTC 2022
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has revealed the list of expected VIPs and keynote speakers at the prestigious Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), to which it is organising and leading the Nigerian delegation.
As part of line-up of activities themed: ‘Energy Transition And Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry’, leaders will be formally declaring the Nigerian Pavilion open, give keynote addresses and contributing at two technical sessions over the second and third days of the conference.
According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Dr. Lucky Akhiwu, made available to The Tide, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, an opening address will be given by the Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Nicolas Odinuwe, followed by a keynote address by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Expected VIPs at the event include Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe; Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources, Hon. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaiya; Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Legor Idagbo; Chairman, House Committee on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar;
Chairman, Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Resources, Senator Sabo Mohammed.
Other expected VIPs are Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Teslim Folarin; Chairman, Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote; GED, Downstream, Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed; General Manager, Nigerian Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti; and Managing Director, Integrated Data Services Limited, Engr. Ayebeteke F. Bariwei.
Mr. Ali Muhammad Zahra of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) is also expected along with Managing Director, Pipelines & Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Isiaku Abdullahi; and General Manager, Nigerian Gas & Power Investment Company Ltd, (NGPIC), Dr. Jamari Salihu.
The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari; will be speaking at the first Technical Session themed ‘Energy Transition and the Future of Africa’ alongside Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe; Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Managing Director/Chief Executive of Total E&P Nigeria Ltd (TEPNG), Mr. Mike Sangster; Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr. Richard Laing; Managing Director, Eni’s Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Daniele; Managing Director/Chairman, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Richard Kennedy; and Managing Director, Oilserv Limited, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa.
The session will be moderated by Vice Chairman, Platform Petroleum, Mr. Austin Avuru.
Day three of the conference according to the organisers will feature an African Technical Workshop Session
Themed ‘AfCFTA: Cross-Border Service Integration as Enablers of Project Delivery in the African Oil and Gas Industry’.
The keynote address for this session is to be given by
Secretary-General, African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim.
This will be followed by a panel session on the theme ‘AfCFTA: Cross-Border Service Integration as Enabler of Project Delivery in the African Oil and Gas Industry’ to be moderated by Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oildata Limited, Mr. Emeka Ene.
Panel speakers for the session include Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau; Chairman, Platform Petroleum Limited, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs; and speakers from other African countries.
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources.
OTC gives attendees access to leading-edge technical information, the industry’s largest equipment exhibition, and valuable new professional contacts from around the world.
PETAN, an association of indigenous technical oilfield service companies, providing specialised services to the upstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry has been responsible for leading and hosting the Nigerian delegation to the prestigious event annually and is still offering tangible business opportunities for the supply chain.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
Featured
RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
?
?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
?
?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
?
?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
?
?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
?
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.