The Rivers State Government says it will  ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in  Ogoniland.

This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.

The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and  the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.

In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.

“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.

The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”

He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.

He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.

Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.

These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.

To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.

“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.

In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.

He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.

“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.

The Rivers State Government in partnership with the Center for Advance Law Research, Rivers State University (RSU) and F1 Team Associates, is set to host a 2-day sensitization programme on the host community development provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The programme, initiated by the Rivers State Government to educate local government officials and stakeholders on the PIA’s provisions and its implications for host communities will hold on September 22nd and 23rd, 2025, in Port Harcourt.

Speaking during a media sensitization in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Lead Consultant F1 Team Associates, Jude Ndubuisi, indicated that the PIA, enacted in 2021, is a landmark legislation that consolidates existing laws governing the Nigerian petroleum industry.

 He emphasized that a notable feature of the Act is its dedication of an entire chapter to Petroleum Host Community Development, which introduces the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) and a board to oversee the Trusts.

According to him, the innovation underscores the importance of community development in the petroleum industry, emphasizing  that the programme seeks to bridge the knowledge gap on the PIA, particularly among local governnent who play crucial role in interfacing with host communities.

He added that by empowering these officials with authoritative and robust knowledge of the Act, the programme aims to facilitate successful implementation of the PIA in Rivers State.

“The 2-day sensitization series aims to ensure that the local government councils in Rivers state, being the closest to the oil producing communities with responsibility involving and relating to interface with host communities, are well intellectually resort with regard to the provision of the PIA and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Development Regulations 2022 made more swaths to the act”, he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Kato Gogo Kingston, who is a  Professor of Petroleum, Energy & and Natural Resource Law in the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University RSU), said, “The PIA makes provisions for needs assessing when you get the 3%. It does not mean that the 3% will be shared as cash, that’s not what the act says.

“The 3% is supposed to be for development of the specific host communities so along that line the host communities development trust funds have trustees and they do what we call need assessment.. what does each community need, is it borehole or schools so this funds are channeled into that”.

In his speech, a Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law, Sam Dike, also of RSU, assured that the grey areas in some sections  of PIA  would be clarified as he added that more experts would share their insights on the PIA and its implications for host communities, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Act’s provisions and applications.

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and productivity across its vast gas infrastructure.

The Deputy Managing Director, NLNG, Mr Olakunle Osobu, disclosed this while addressing a global audience of more than 50,000 participants from 150 countries in a panel session at the ongoing Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Milan, Italy.

The session was themed, “Operational Excellence Through the Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies.”

Osobu explained that NLNG’s adoption of AI was not just strategic but essential, driven by the scale and complexity of its operations, as well as the company’s push to boost domestic supply and exports.

“With over 10,000 operators and technicians working simultaneously towards a common goal, the use of AI is not only imperative but compulsory,” he said.

He noted that NLNG’s culture of continuous improvement and its zero-incident policy demanded intelligent systems capable of guiding operations, boosting safety, and simplifying decision-making.

“We have embedded AI into every aspect of our operations – from safety protocols to machine performance. It has made us more efficient, nimbler, and more productive.

“Our standard is to improve everything we do, every day,” Osobu said.

Highlighting a breakthrough in workforce training, he said that AI and visual technologies had significantly reduced the time required to train plant operators.

According to him, previously, it took six to 12 months to train an operator to expertise level. With AI, we now achieve this in just two to three months.

He explained that the reduction translated directly into improved productivity and lower costs.

Osobu said that AI had also transformed equipment management, enabling machines to function faster and more efficiently, while providing actionable insights that simplify complex decisions.

He said that the deployment of the technology had assisted in making smarter decisions, using data to deliver actionable insights.

“It is like using a breeze instead of a hammer – smart work over hard work.

“Wherever AI can be applied, we use it. It is the future of our industry, and we are fully invested in it,” he said.

He, however, explained that NLNG’s technology team regularly reviews usage to ensure demand-driven deployment, avoiding waste and ensuring cost-effectiveness.

Also speaking, Senior Mechanical Engineer for Static Equipment at NLNG, Mr Jude Ohanyere, said the company was carrying out a life-extension assessment for critical assets such as the Main Cryogenic Heat Exchanger (MCHE).

“We’ve partnered with Honeywell, the OEM, to ensure that the MCHE can operate safely and reliably for the next 10 to 25 years.

“Reliable assets mean fewer outages and stronger supply commitments,” he said.

Ohanyere, who presented a technical paper on LNG Operations, added that NLNG’s reliability also benefits upstream partners by reducing gas flaring and improving the country’s energy mix.

The integration of AI now positions NLNG as a frontrunner in smart energy, marking a significant digital leap for Africa’s energy future.

The Gastech conference is one of the world’s largest gatherings of professionals, drawing global stakeholders to discuss innovations in gas, LNG, hydrogen, AI, and climate technologies.