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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
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.