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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
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.