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Tag: anniversary

  • OSOPADEC chief reels off achievements at anniversary

    The expansive premises of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) along Airport Road, Oba-Ile, in Akure North Local Government Area was in joyous mood as its new Governing Board marked its first anniversary a fortnight ago. .

    The new Board was inaugurated on April 10, last year by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Many stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, students and dignitaries from the two mandate areas of Ilaje and Ese-Odo were in present.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Gbenga Edema said it was pertinent that the Board rendered an account to let people know its activities in the past one year.

    According to him, on April 10, last year when they assumed office, members of the Board were faced with myriad of challenges that would have rocked the Commission.

    He said: “We give gratitude to God Almighty for sustaining us thus far in our efforts at ameliorating the suffering of our people in the mandate areas and making life more meaningful to them by the provision of basic infrastructure required for good living.”

    He particularly noted that there were low morale on the part of workers, decay infrastructure, non-availability of relevant work tools for members of staff, delayed payment of salaries, non-payment of gratuities, pensions and other emoluments. Abandonment of projects was the other of the day as certificates raised by contractors remained unpaid.

    Edema said: “I am delighted to announce that, under our leadership, we now have a new rebranded OSOPADEC where things work. Instead of a lethargic, sluggish and impotent workforce, we now have virile, viable, purposeful, dedicated and result-oriented members of staff in the Commission.

    “With proper motivation, training and other capacities, our members of staff now rank among the best anywhere in the world in terms of service delivery.”

    The chairman said the Commission had paid the 2014/2015 bursary in which 5,237 students benefitted, adding that N221.24 million was disbursed to students from Ilaje and Eseodo local government areas in various tertiary institutions across the country.

    Edema, a former lawmaker revealed that many other projects such as Okitipupa-Ayeka-Irele Road would be completed in the next two months, while Aboto water project and the reticulation to Igbokoda has been completed with the process of test-running and quality assurance checks on the water from the taps.

    He said the internal road network at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa which hitherto had been abandoned was adopted by the commission and completed within the year. The road has since been inaugurated by the governor as part of the activities marking the administration’s one year in office.

    In the socio-economic sector, Edema said the commission also intervened in the medical challenges facing the people through the health intervention programme which saw the commission collaborating with some selected government-owned health establishments in the state.

    He commended Governor Akeredolu for the supervision, direction and approvals granted the Commission.

    The chairman also thanked stakeholders, the youth, women, royal fathers, community, opinion leaders and the entire people of the mandate areas for their co-operation and patience.

    Edema said there are other empowerment initiatives in the offing such as support for Aged and physically-challenged, youth summit, women summit and peace building.

  • Anwar-ul Islam College marks 70th anniversary

    It was a memorable day for pupils and old students of Anwar-ul Islam Model College, Agege as they gathered in the school hall last week to reminiscence about the school’s 70 years of existence.

    The school was established by the Muslim missionary group, Anwar- ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, as part of the objectives of the movement to create an educational platform for its religious populace. It was the first Muslim college in West Africa.

    Pupils, teachers and old students learnt about the school’s history from, the President of the Movement, Mubashir Ojelade, a barrister.

    Ojelade said “the movement started as a religious body with a peculiar motive not only that the movement would be strictly for religion but also for education. It was the motivation to promote education that brought those leaders together in the first instance”.

    He noted that before the movement formerly known as the Ahmadiyya movement, started, Islam was already grounded in Lagos State.  But the agitation for western education prompted the founders to start making plans for education while pursing the advancement of the Muslim religion.

    One of the founding fathers, late Jubril Martins who was a politician, lawyer and community leader spearheaded the formation of the Muslim education.

    Ojelade said Martins discovered that at the level of government, discussions were being held to invest and promote education. It then dawned on him and his Muslim contemporaries that the Muslims were being left out.

    “If they are discussing voting money to improve schools, where do we stand as Muslims because we didn’t have any schools. So if government was to invest money in schools, what it meant was that the Muslims will not benefit at all. That was the genesis of most of the activities he spear headed,” Ojelade said.

    The yearnings of the founders birthed the Almadiyya Primary School in Elegbeta in 1921. Then they proceeded to establish a secondary school but first of all decided to train teachers who would man the schools established in future. The Anwar-ul Islam Movement awarded scholarships to members and non-members to study abroad.

    Anwar -ul Islam College was established as Saka Tinubu High School, Olushi, in 1948. Due to the shortage of competent Muslim teachers at that time, Ojelade said the school was under the management of three successive Christian principals; late J. Thompson Hagan, E.E Esua and Duncan Sotugbo.

    Later on, some of those who were done with the training abroad took over the school.

    The school was among those taken over by the military in the 70s but was returned to the movement in 2001.

    Ojelade said the school had produced three players for the national football team, and pledged the movement which he now presides over would ensure the school remains a pride of its founders.

    The movement and the old boys under the aiges of the Anwar-ul Islam College Agege Old Student Association (ACAOSA) are making plans to remove the “Model” in the school’s name as given by government.

    Sharing his experiences, a member of the first set in the school, Rtd Justice Ishola Olorunibe said the school barely had classes with few pupils and the environment was hostile to Muslims but the founders never gave up their dreams. He added that the school had produced eminent personnel in various spheres of life.

    The anniversary also featured a lecture on “Child Education; Lasting Legacy” delivered by an old boy, Dr Olatunji Abanikannda, of the Department of Animal Science, Lagos State University.

    He said education in Nigeria had taken a back seat, condemning the emphasis on certificate.

    “It is so bad that we have included education to be a social symbol and status. A lot of us have misplaced priorities. We even equate the amount of school fees we pay now to the quality of education our children receive in schools. Education is meant for the best. There is so much emphasis on certificate not even the professionalism,” he said.

    He bemoaned the lack of skill and incompetence of some teachers who do not have the flair for the job. He said the resultant effect was that such teachers produce unskilled graduates.

    Abanikannda said the incessant strikes by university unions also contributed to production of poor graduates as well as hampered research activities in school.

    “The unstable curriculum in schools is our (university workers’) fault. The unions have become terrorists in our universities. This has affected the efficiency and the reliability of our schools. In the end, students are just rushed to meet up with the school calendar and the researches and experiments are greatly affected,” he said.

    To address issues facing education, he the government need to prioritize education, formulate suitable policies, monitor how the budget is been utilized he said.

    Abanikannda also warned that students should evolve in their choices of courses they choose, to solve myriads of problems affecting the country, and that parents should desist from influencing their choice of study on their wards.

  • U.S. congratulates Pope Francis on 5th anniversary

    The U.S. has congratulated Pope Francis on the fifth anniversary of his election to the See in Rome.

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a statement, commended the cordial relations between the U.S. and Rome.

    “On behalf of the U. S. Government, I offer my congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis on the fifth anniversary of his election to the See of Rome.

    “Together, the U. S. and the Holy See are an extraordinary force for good as we work to advance religious freedom and human rights.

    “And fight terrorism and violence, combat human trafficking, prevent the spread of diseases, and seek peaceful solutions to crises around the world,” he said.

    Tillerson said President Donald Trump’s historic meeting with Pope Francis on his first foreign trip in May 2017 underscored the importance of this partnership.

    “I join millions of Americans in congratulating the Holy Father on this anniversary and look forward to our continued work together to promote peace, freedom, and human dignity around the world,” Tillerson said.

    Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as his successor on March 13.

    Read Also: Pope Francis prays for peace in Nigeria

     He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.

    He is the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church, a title he holds ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and sovereign of Vatican City.

    Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere.

    He is also the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory III, who reigned in the eighth century.

  • Buhari for Ghana’s 61st independence anniversary

    President Muhammadu Buhari will attend Ghana’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations tomorrow, the Presidency said yesterday.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President  Femi Adesina, said Buhari is the only foreign leader invited to the historic event as the Special Guest of Honour.

    He also noted that Buhari is scheduled to address the august gathering.

    “President Buhari will use the unique opportunity to reaffirm the long-standing warm relations between the peoples and governments of both brotherly nations.

    “He will also underscore Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the bilateral ties in furtherance of democracy, good governance and overall development not only in the West African sub-region, but also the African continent.” he said

    The President and his delegation which includes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, will return to Abuja after the celebrations on Tuesday.

  • Youths get awards at anniversary

    Youths get awards at anniversary

    The Breath of Life Youth Church has given awards to some of its members in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the Church in particular and the society in general. They were awarded at the Church’s 2nd anniversary held at Obanikoro, Lagos State writes OLATUNDE ODEBIYI.

    They were all smiles, looking gorgeous in their beautiful outfits, as they mounted the dais to receive their awards amid applause from guests. They were the cynosure of all eyes. Everyone felt like being an award recipient.

    They were recipients of awards from their church for their two years of hard work, commitment, sacrifice and service. All of these were part of the rewards for the youth of Breath of Life Youth Church in Obanikoro, Lagos penultimate week during the church’s 2nd year anniversary.

    Beautiful ushers in corporate outfits took guests to comfortable seats. The one-day ceremony began with prayers and praises to God.

    During the testimony time, about five youths shared theirs on how the Youth Church has transformed their lives to make meaningful impact in the society and influence others’ lives positively, as well as start up their own businesses and ministries.

    There were lots of side attractions in which talents were displayed both in rap, singing, poetry, drama, chant, spoken words, dance drums and other instruments, among others.

    Out of 28 nominees, eight youths emerged winners. The award session was supervised by  the Coordinator of the Church’s 2nd Year Anniversary Planning Committee, Pastor Onome Atife and Chief Executive Officer, Rmtproductions, Mrs Olukemi Odutola.

    A first-class student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Precious Bassey won the Academic Award; a musician,  Saladeen Zaquex  won the Best Artistic Performance Award;  Edidiong Benedict Jnr. won the Youth of the Year award for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the church.

    Velma Samuel won the Evangelist Award; a lady keyboardist,  Chinazor Anozie won the Musician of the Year Award.

    Most Innovative Trailblazer of the Year  Award was won by  Anuoluwapo Pelemo, for the outstanding ideas she presented to the Church. the Assistant Pastor of The Breath of Life Youth Church,  Isaac Runsewe received the Kingdom Choice Award for being an outstanding pacesetter in the youth ministry.

    Leadership Award was won by the Pastor of the youth Temitope Odebiyi who is also a drummer.  She was rewarded for her outstanding leadership performance in the Church.

    Odebiyi said, the award recipients are those who have shown commitment to service of the Church over the two years.

    “They have been committed with their time, ideas, money and innovation. Among the youth, these people stood out to be outstanding and this is why we decided to reward them. The award is to encourage and charge them to forge forward to the next level. Those who do not receive award should double their efforts and ensure that they do more in the coming year so that they can be different among their peers. She urged youths to be extraordinary in all they do,

    “Every young person in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large must have the mind of a transformer and transform everything around them. Youths should go into government, finance, oil and gas, banking and cause a transformation. All young persons should arise from their sleeping bed, and become a transformer.

    “Youths have a role to play in national development because they are called leaders of tomorrow. Youths have new ideas, they are young, energetic, vibrant and they think. We need the world to give them a chance.”

    She said the Church was established to harness the strength of young people, to lead them in the right direction.

    She said: “The devil has taken over the world, especially the heart of young people and we are trying to snatch them back from him.

    What we are doing with their strength is to ensure that they harness it and use it positively to influence the society both spiritually and socially,” she said.

    According to Atife the nation is going through challenges because the youth are not bracing up.

    “My message to the youth is that the opportunities are out there, the world does not give you what you deserve, you have to go out there and grab it for yourself.

    In the midst of kiosk there is always opportunities and solutions to be provided. The challenges we are currently facing in the country is an opportunity for youths to look into and provide solutions and they will be recognised for the solutions provided.”

    To the award recipients, he said: “To whom much is given, much is expected. The moment you have received an award, you are already recognised, a lot of people will be looking out for you, to confirm or check if you really deserve it. It is not just getting the award, it is your ability to sustain whatever you were doing that made you to get the award. All the award recipients should go back and think of the things that they did that brought them out and ensure that they do more.”

    One of the recipients, Zaquex who has just spent less than a year in the church, described the award as unexpected.

    “This is my first time in a church having an award. This award has given me strength, it has motivated me to serve God more, which means more are coming and I will go round the world. The Church is God-send; it changed my life, it gave me a reason to rap for God. I was rapping for the world, but within my short time here, I am able to rap for God and even get an award for it. I thank God for the youth church,

    My rapping ministry is for life and I will serve God with it and I want to bring people to Christ and let them know that God can accept them.”

    He urged youths to stay on what God has called them to do.

    “Do your thing; look inside of you and figure out what God has put inside of you. God gave everybody something to serve him with, just figure out yours and use it to serve Him. If you cannot figure out yours, come to the church, there are several workforce that you can join. Just work for God. Do something for Christ,” he said.

  • Malas Foods marks 25th anniversary in Lagos

    Malas Foods, a foremost catering service company in Nigeria, recently celebrated her 25 years of operation in rendering premium catering services to her esteemed customers. The event which took place at the prestigious Darlington Hall and Event Centre, Lagos, witnessed the attendance of the media and many government, business and corporate personalities.

    According to the CEO of Malas Foods, Mrs. Morenike Okupe, the company decided to organise a ‘Thanksgiving Service’ to appreciate God for his faithfulness in keeping the company in operation for 25 years, even with all the turbulence in the business environment. “We are not just celebrating the number of years of being in business, but also for delivering world class catering services to our customers. And as you can see most of our customers are here to testify to the quality of our delivery. So, we are showing gratitude to God and also celebrating the privilege of satisfying our customers.”

    Reflecting to when she started the business, she said, “I cannot stop thanking God because at the beginning I never knew things will turn out to be this great. It was so challenging and difficult. There were initial set-backs. But with determination, hard work, and trust in God one was able to overcome those teething problems. Again, I had a passion for catering services. I also had great confidence in myself. Today, when I look back, I cannot count on my passion or my efforts, I can only credit the success to God’s faithfulness. I am truly happy that Malas Foods has come this far.”

    Malas Foods, she said, has been providing professional catering services for 25 years now, and today the company is one of the best catering businesses in Africa. “Our creative kitchen comes with freshness that gives our foods, including cross over foods, such an outstanding taste at the gourmet level that guarantees premium quality at all times. Besides God’s grace, satisfying our clients is the real reason Malas Foods is still strong and going 25 years after,” declared Okupe.

    The  event to mark Malas Foods 25th anniversary started with a special thanksgiving service that featured songs, hymns, praise and worship as well as a brief message delivered by Pastor Eyitayo Babalola of the City of God Covenant International Ministries.

    In his sermon taken from Psalm 107, Babalola commended the management of Malas Foods for putting God first, and recognising that the successes they have achieved in the past 25 years were purely from God’s goodness. Interpreting the significance of the number 25 as standing for multiplied grace, Pastor Babalola prayed and prophesied for multiple favour and grace on the staff and management of Malas Foods as well as all well-wishers and friends present at the event.

    According to Okupe, the event was also an opportunity to appreciate and reward the staff for their commitment and for keeping faith with the company; and also to recognise the customers and suppliers for their patronage over the years and to thank the company’s well-wishers for their goodwill. Top among those honoured at the occasion was the longest serving staff of the organisation, Bose Gbadebo, who received lots of praises and encomium as she came out to pick her award. For her dedication and long period of service, Bose received a cash prize and a huge raise to her salary. Two other outstanding members of staff, Mama Lara and Mama Femi, were also honoured at the event with cash prizes and raise in their remunerations.

  • Anniversary: Group to empower women

    We started Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) to empower women by providing learning and professional guidelines,” its founder, Amina Oyagbola has said.

    Oyagbola, who spoke during the organisation’s 10th anniversary at the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre in Lagos, explained that the non-profit organisation was out to bridge the gap in mentorship and women advocacy in leadership.

    “We want to ensure equal opportunity for women to contribute to the growth and development of the nation. We are celebrating this anniversary by showcasing pioneering and successful women in various sectors of the economy and to teach the younger women what we have done differently and how we did it to reach the zenith of our careers even in the male dominated sectors of the economy,” she said.

    Oyagbola said WISCAR has been at the forefront of advancing the course of women in the country through its strategic mentoring and leadership.

    “We have helped to develop thousands of young and aspiring women through our trainings, seminars, workshops, and mentorship programmes, providing competency-based development for personal mastery and overall workplace effectiveness,” she said.

    Chairperson, Alliance for Affordable Internet and former Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, said: “It is impressive to see that this initiative is accelerating women’s movement up the corporate ladder and also encouraging young females to pursue their career path. One of the ways to accelerate women’s career is by providing equal opportunities for women and building capacity in various career paths, which is what WISCAR advocates for.”

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule said it is heart-warming to know that WISCAR has consistently remained a voice for women in the corporate world.

    According to her, there is the need to focus greater attention on building the capacity of women for them to be able to contribute their full potentials to the process of moving the nation forward.

  • Anniversary and thanksgiving

    We are in a season of thanksgiving as the world races towards the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Christmas. For many in this part of the world, it is a rest period from the daily struggle that life has become. With or without salary, it is a time to spend money as children look forward to new clothes and accessories. It is also a time for family members to aggregate, and spend quality time together.

    Christmas is for feasting. One of the joys in the years of yore was untrammelled feasting. Before rice completely ensnared Nigerians as a daily staple, it was a season to eat rice for days, instead of the Sunday-Sunday delicacy, it was. Back in those days, the feasting was from house to house, for children from a common Umunna. At every home, a bowl of rice will be downed before a few kobo is donated into the booty, to be shared later.

    Then, there were dance troupes, crisscrossing each other as they visit homes to entertain and gain gifts from an appreciative audience. Amongst the most popular dance ensemble in my village, Amofia, Ogowfia Owa, were Ojionu and Adamma. Looking back, I wonder where those musical genres were learned from. For the adults, you had Obunoji and several musical groups from neighbouring villages that make up the town. I remember my father hosting Obunoji on a few occasions.

    A host will provide food and drinks and some cash at the end to appreciate the great honour of hosting the foremost village masquerade. There were other communal musical groups and feasts at Christmas period which excites more if the moon shone, usually at the village square. With beach like sand in abundance, the children had the whole square to frolic, building castles, doing races and somersaulting with reckless abandon. The joy was unlimited.

    Each Umunna making up the village will bring gourds of palm wine and in the later years, beer, which is shared freely. With liquor and food in abundance, the villagers bonded, amidst conviviality and commensality. Fear was anathema. Everybody knew and trusted each other. Stealing or robbery was unheard of. Of course, there were age grades keeping watch at the village frontiers, against invaders, but I cannot remember any incident.

    Traveling, is an integral part of Christmas. It is a season to come together to share love with loved ones. While quite a number travel to joy centres, or overseas, many just head to the villages to spend time with the umunna. Where I come from, it is now a time for bazaar at the local church, meetings to discuss the community challenges, marriage, birth or death ceremonies, and of course the most popular festivity, the village league football, organised by the visiting youths.

    Unlike before, modern children who still visit their neighbours are not interested in a bowl of rice or even meat. If you hesitate to celebrate the season for them, they will make a direct demand for money. With communal trust eroded, many families simply head to the town’s public space for common entertainments like football. Parents now warn their children to be mindful of where they visit and who they take any edible from.

    Still Christmas, is time to share. Those who keep the village warm, especially the aged, expect that those visiting will bring some gift items, like clothes, uncooked food, drink and meat. Those with large hearts, kill cows, and invite the umunna to come and share. They buy drinks in large quantities and share. For the generous, it is a time for feasts, entertainment and music.

    Those with smaller hearts, merely show off their big cars, raising dust in their trails. Because there are now regular security incidents, armed security are in the entourage of those in government and those who can afford it. Village and town meetings are now more rancorous, as communal lands have become economic assets, with some coveting them. Even heading the town unions have become contentious, as service is no longer the primary motive.

    Some local and state governments now intervene in town unions as it has become a focal point for mobilizing votes. State governments now give direct funds to town unions, and that breads acrimony, as those in-charge determine how the funds are disbursed. In many big towns, the town union elections have become as contentious as those between political parties. A do or die affair, between contenders.

    This time last year, I was already home with my siblings preparing for the burial of our mother, Ezinne Bernadette Uzodimma Amalu, which took place on December 21, 2016. Even though she died in September, we chose December to lay her to eternal rest principally because of the advantage of the holiday period. For us, having attained a ripe age of 86, the ceremony was an opportunity to give glory to God, for a life well lived.

    Generous in giving, just like her late husband, Michael Ejiofor Amalu, my siblings and I have agreed to immortalise their memory by setting up a foundation: Michael and Bernadette Amalu Foundation, as a vehicle with which to imitate them. The focus will be in giving and providing opportunities to the less privileged, as much as we can afford, considering that we are of modest means. But as we all agreed, the more important consideration, is to have a generosity of spirit, not the magnitude of giving.

    The six of us, with the support of our spouses, have agreed to make Christmas period our foundation anniversary. That way, while we will separately partake in the conviviality of the season with our families; our joint families will have opportunity to further bond together. So, as we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Christ, we will also participate in family thanksgiving. With the addition of children and grandchildren, our numbers keep increasing.

    Sometimes I have a sense of nostalgia for the 1970s and 80s, when I partook in those classical entertainment genres, of the Christmas period. A time when communal love was palpable. When it was fashionable to partake in commensality, a time when young stars were at liberty to traverse the village and neighbouring villages, in search of dance halls, without fear of molestation. A time when our uncles and aunties, doing regular jobs, could afford to buy Christmas clothes for all the young persons, in the Umunna. A time of dance and feast.

    Unfortunately, those times are gone. We are now in a self-serving era. While earphones, Mp3 and similar gadgets have replaced dance groups, visual entertainment has displaced the real thing. But still, I clutch at a past, in retreat. For two weeks, this column will go on annual holiday, as I visit my umunna, and to honour the memory of my parents. So, here is wishing my readers, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, in advance.

     

  • Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele is set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ghastly auto accident that confined him to a wheel chair and changed his life forever.

    According to the musician, in appreciation of God’s mercy, he has concluded plans to mark two decades of the accident with a week-long series of activities in Oyo and Ekiti states between December 12 and December 17.

    Ayefele said he believes the incident, though a sad one, was what transformed his life and he has to reach out to people in order to appreciate God’s magnanimity in his life over the last two decades.

    Hence, on Tuesday, December 12, Ayefele and his friends will be in his hometown of Ipoti, Ekiti State, to commission a multi-million naira hall he will be donating to his alma mater, Ipoti High School. Also on that day, the musician, through his Yinka Ayefele Foundation, will be putting smile on the faces of 100 women of Ipoti stock by empowering them with various cash gift.

    Ayefele and his team will also visit various orphanages, old people’s homes and hospitals, particularly, the University College Hospital, UCH in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he will present buses, cash gift and food items to the less privileged in the homes and patients in the hospital.

    And the climax of the remembrance will be on Sunday December 17 with a thanksgiving service, launching of the 20th year remembrance album and public presentation of his first book titled ‘You and Your Spine’.

    The event will hold at the Music House, Challenge, Ibadan.

    On December 12, 1997, Ayefele was involved in a ghastly motor accident along Ibadan/Abeokuta Road. The tragic event in which he lost the use of legs has been the motivation for many of his songs.

    Ayefele is a recipient of over 200 awards, including the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, a recognition bestowed on him by former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.a

  • Osinbajo to speak at OPTS’ business anniversary

    Osinbajo to speak at OPTS’ business anniversary

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will be the keynote speaker at the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) business event to mark its 55th anniversary.

    OPTS is the oldest and foremost sectorial group for operators in the upstream oil and gas industry, and an arm of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

    The event, which will hold on November 2, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will feature discussions that will help move the oil and gas industry forward.

    With the theme Nigeria, An Investor Friendly Destination,’ the event is to discuss strategies to attract investments in the upstream oil & gas industry as well as showcase the OPTS and its achievements since 1962.

    OPTS Chairman and Managing Director and Chief Executive of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said the event, apart from commemorating OPTS’s 55th anniversary, would help attract more investment to the industry.

    “The upstream oil & gas industry is very important to our country as it generates up to 90 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings. So, it is one of the most important sectors of our economy and we want to build an OPTS group that is well-placed to contribute to policies and laws that ensure that this sector of our economy works very well,” Okunbor said.

    He added that OPTS member-firms are proud of their achievements and contributions to the Nigerian economy over the years and are ready to contribute to the continued growth of the industry and Nigeria despite the current challenges in the global markets.

    Aside from the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, a number of other notable speakers from Nigeria and the global energy sector are also billed to attend the event. They include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of Trade & Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, the Chairman of Dubri Oil and first indigenous Chairman of OPTS, Dr. Uduimo Itsueli, Dr. Tim Okon, Special Adviser, Fiscal to the Hon. Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, and the Leader, McKinsey Oil & Gas Practice, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Mr. Occo Roelofsen.

    The OPTS is a sub-group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and is an umbrella association for local and foreign-owned companies registered in Nigeria who hold an Oil Prospecting Licence or Oil Mining Licence.

    From an initial three member-firm at inception, the OPTS has grown to 27 members, including some of the leading names in the Nigerian Upstream Oil and Gas industry and its members account for over 80 per cent of the production volumes in the industry.