The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SNEPCo

  • ‘Shell JV, SNEPCo have paid $2b to NDDC’

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and its co-venture partners have contributed $2 billion to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The Media Relations Manager, Shell Nigeria, Bamidele Odugbesan, stated this while reacting to the allegation that the oil giant was among the 50 oil firms that owe the NDDC.

    Shell was named among the oil companies that owe the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Some oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region owe the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) N1.2 trillion due to their failure to pay their dues to the commission.

    The Principal Partner, Paris Trust Limited, Timothy Bagwams, who said his firm was authorised by the NDDC to serve letters to the defaulting oil companies that owe the Commission, noted that Shell was among the defaulters.Oil companies in Nigeria statutorily are mandated to pay three per cent of their annual budget to the Commission. However, Bagwams stated that  the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), National Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Chevron, Shell, Agip, Pan Ocean oil, Petrobras, Seplat, Moni Pulo Petroleum Development, South Atlantic Petroleum and Slumberger, among others, owe the commission.

    According to the Bagwams, since 2015, the majority of the oil companies have failed to remit the statutory three per cent to the Commission, which affects the efficient operation of the Commission and the development of the Niger Delta region.

    Shell’s spokesperson Odugbesan said the company is current in payment of its dues to NDDC. He said: “The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) is up to date in the payment of all levies payable to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in compliance with the NDDC Act.

    “SPDC’s remittance till the end of 2018 has been acknowledged and signed off by NDDC. We are awaiting NDDC’s receipts for payments from January to June 2019. SPDC, therefore, has no outstanding sums due and owing to the NDDC up to June 2019, and we have communicated this to the commission in response to their demand notice.”

    Odugbesan also stated that between the inception of NDDC in 2002 and the end of 2018, SPDC JV parties, SNEPCo and its co-venture partners contributed $2 billion to the NDDC.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in his reaction, confirmed that the Corporation owes NDDC. However, he stated that NNPC has started the repayment some months ago.

    He said: “There is nothing wrong in being indebted to someone or an organisation. We are indebted to NDDC, but we have reached an agreement with them (NDDC) on repayment and we have started the repayment few months ago.”

    Bagwams reiterated that Section 14(2)(b) of the NDDC Act, 2014 stipulates that three per cent of the total annual budget of any oil producing company operating onshore and offshore the Niger Delta region including gas processing companies shall be paid and credited to the fund established by the NDDC for the defrayal of all expenditure.

    “But as I speak with you, the companies are owing NDDC more than N1.2 trillion, and this is why the Commission is achieving little in addressing the developmental needs of the region,” he said, adding that Paris Trust Limited is undertaking the facilitation and payment of the debts owed NDDC by oil firms and would be left with no option than to resort to legal action if at the end of a seven-day ultimatum the oil companies fail to make the remittances.

  • 45 firms showcase potential at SNEPCo exhibition

    No fewer than 45 indigenous oil and gas firms showcased their products at the exhibition jointly organised by  Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo and the Nigeria Content Development Board (NCDMB) .

    The exhibition with the theme: ‘’Made in Nigeria, Fit For the Future‘’ provides a platform for knowledge sharing among officials of Shell, contractors and other stakeholders.

    A SNEPCo official, Bayo Ojulari, said the company’s local content strategy was built around the national framework as developed by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    He said: “The strategy places strong emphasis on research and development, promotion of local manufacturing, indigenous asset ownership, and human capacity development. Shell recognises the significant role that a viable and competitive manufacturing sector plays in the economic development of a country. Therefore, we actively seek opportunities to support and showcase strides made by Nigerian companies in the manufacturing of import-substituting goods and services, especially those required for oil exploration and production.”

    He listed collaborations between University of Ibadan and University of Port Harcourt  on research into synthetic base fluids for drilling operations, using local materials, as one of the initiatives introduced by Shell to improve local capacity in Nigeria, adding that the idea would lead to production of industrial materials in the sector.

    Also,  NCDMB’s Executive Secretary Simibi Wabote listed the contributions of International Oil Companies to the improvement of standards of goods produced by local companies.

    He urged operators in the sector to double their efforts in the implementation of existing policies, and pursue the delivery of identified gas opportunities.

    ‘’The Nigerian Gas Association  and other stakeholders must pick up the gauntlet, he posited. “I implore you to make this happen. It does not have to be a gigantic, big bang project that overwhelms everybody and does not get delivered at the end of the day. Let’s take one or two aspects of the value chain and channel all energies on them so that in two years’ time we are here to celebrate value addition to our hydrocarbon resources,” he said.

    According to Wabote, NCDMB has begun to implement some of its initiatives, citing the $200m Nigerian According Content Intervention Fund, managed by Bank of Industry for the provision of loans to oil and gas service providers at single digit interest rates, for the acquisition of key assets, manufacturing and other activities.

  • SNEPCo upgrades Pacelli School for the Blind

    To give a face-lift to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted in Lagos, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), has some furniture and air conditioners to the school.

    This, according to the Shell’s spokesperson, Bamidele Odugbesan, came barely a year after the workers of the company under the Shell Employees Care programme, visited the school at Christmas donated food items to the 52-year-old institution established by a former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Leo Hale Taylor.

    The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Bayo Ojulari, said: “Ours is a company reputed for diversity and inclusion and this is what is driving our interventions in special institutions such as this where we continue to support the provision of equal education opportunity for Nigerians regardless of their social, economic or physical challenges. By doing this, we are helping to transform the life of these future leaders and contributing to the growth of the nation.

    “We identify with children and senior citizens as part of our social investments portfolio which cuts across health, education and social services.”

    Ojulari, who was represented by SNEPCo’s Non-Operated Venture Manager, Segun Owolabi, commended the management of Pacelli for their consistent drive in giving the students good education in a conducive environment.

    Also, the school’s principal, Sister Jane Onyeneri, described the donations as timely, coming at a time that the school’s infrastructure were being overstretched and aging. “We remain grateful to SNEPCo, NNPC and their partners for your efforts in making the learning environment conducive and we challenge other corporate bodies to emulate your kindness,” she said.

    Items donated included bunk beds, mattresses, chairs and air conditioners.

    SNEPCo, in 2014 donated a school bus and a truck to the school for deliveries and supplies. SNEPCo has supported many special institutions, including old people’s home and Children SOS villages. In 2015, the company built and equipped the Elfavour Home Orphanage School in Kaduna.

  • SNEPCo calls for diversification roadmap

    Shell Nigeria Exploration and ProductionCompany (SNEPCo) Managing Director Bayo Ojulari has underscored economic diversification as panacea for job creation and rapid economic growth.

    He spoke at the just-concluded annual conference and exhibition of the Nigeria Council of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) where Shell in Nigeria bagged the award for best exhibitor.

    Speaking on the conference theme: “Diversification of the Nigerian Economy – The Oil & Gas Industry as an Enabler”, Ojulari called for a diversification roadmap bearing the commitment signature of major stakeholders in the Nigerian project. He said: “With such a roadmap, we are able to track performance year-in year-out while remaining focused.

    “For Nigeria to diversify its economy, it must leverage the low hanging fruits such as agriculture, petrochemicals, which use gas as its feedstock and most importantly, education and technology.”

    At the awards ceremony, two Shell workers,  Oghogho Effiom and Stella Egwim, received the SPE Nigeria Chairman Medallion awards while 10 other Shell workers got  Service awards. The awards demonstrated a strong Shell participation at the 2018 SPE conference, where 20 technical papers were delivered by Shell workers out of 150 papers constituting about 13 per cent.

    “Over the years, Shell Companies in Nigeria have continued to demonstrate thought leadership at flagship industry events such as the SPE and we continue to promote self-development and professional affiliation by our staff as part of our wider human capacity development in Nigeria,” said Ojulari, who received the best exhibitor award from the outgoing SPE Nigeria Council Chairman, Mr. Chikezie Nwosu.

    Shell’s exhibition stand combined aesthetics, architecture, informative posters, panel discussion sessions, career talks, video presentations and the ever popular Shell health stand, to be a central attraction at the conference.

    Visitors, who thronged the Shell booth were received by the lead exhibitor, Kefe and team. The guests were drawn from oil servicing firms, equipment manufacturers, students, professional and academic bodies as well as international and indigenous oil contractors and companies.

  • Why SNEPCO Base must remain in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta region for many years was a centre for violence, communal clashes and militancy. It took a negotiated and sustained intervention for the government to purchase relative peace in the region. Until the now taken-for-granted relative peace, the region was characterised by youth restiveness, militancy and constant inter- and intra- communal clashes. Serenity was scarce and cordial business-host community relationship was scarce. Oil revenue dwindled due to constant attacks on oil installations. The impact of these events was felt by the multinationals, the nation and the international community at large.

    Since then, the government have come to realise the importance of concerted efforts at sustaining peace and stability in the region. It is widely acknowledged that youth restiveness is a major hindrance to peace and progress anywhere, and especially in the Niger Delta region. Youth restiveness is a direct consequence of high unemployment and non-engagement. This has been the lot of the highly endowed Niger-Delta region. The people are divinely blessed with unquantifiable natural resources, especially crude oil that has sustained the country for decades. Yet they are subjected to a paradoxical level of penury. In the midst of abundant natural resources are a people living in abject poverty –fuelled by the greed and corruption of the leaders both at the state and national levels. There are no jobs for the teeming youths; the few jobs available are claimed by a minute population through a survival of the fittest struggle.

    However, few companies and facilities domiciled in the region have managed to employ the youths and sustain the peace. Some of such facilities are the Onne Port and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone – the largest in the world. Onne Port is perhaps the only functional port in the eastern region. The other ports including Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt are all in near-comatose states. Onne Port has remained alive and proved that public private partnership is a veritable means to manage Nigeria’s port system. The Free Trade Zone, on the other hand, has become a destination of choice for multinationals operating in the Niger Delta region. And the patronage of these companies has improved the capacity to provide employment for the teeming youths of the region. In essence, it is an interwoven cycle that benefits all parties – the companies, communities and government. In the same vein, it is a relationship that can be highly consequential by one party’s disconnection or disaffection. Hence, the eyebrows the decision by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to relocate its supply base out of the zone has raised.

    Some concerned employees of SNEPCo recently circulated a statement in the media informing the public of an impending decision of the company to relocate from the Onne Oil and Gas Export Free Zone in Rivers State to Lagos.

    In a swift reaction, the spokesperson for SNEPCO, Bamidele Odugbesan denied the alleged relocation, although he also conceded that SNEPCo, which has been making use of SPDC’s logistics supply base operated in Onne, is trying to develop its own alternative supply base in Lagos.

    The feeble reaction from the company has been unsuccessful in dousing the brewing tension the news has elicited. The decision has already generated disaffection amongst the youths of the region towards the company. In a peaceful protest, youths under the umbrella of Onne Youth Council (OYC), expressed total condemnation of the move, urging the company to rescind its alleged plan. The youths also revealed that the planned relocation could lead to the loss of more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Paramount Ruler of Onne Community, John Dennis Osaronu, has also joined in the call for SNEPCO to reconsider the decision to relocate its supply base to Lagos because of the consequences on the people, the community and the entire Niger Delta region.

    There are many perspectives to examining the plan to relocate. It can be examined from a strictly economic perspective – impending job loss and impact on the Onne Free Trade Zone – and it can also be viewed from the security perspective – implications for peace and stability in the region. Whichever perspective analysts choose, it is undeniable that executing the alleged plan has wide implications for the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, the Onne Community, River State, Niger Delta region and the country at large. There is a truism that organizations are corporate citizens and should be treated so. It is therefore important for the company to consider other stakeholders outside its internal system in arriving at a decision such as this due to its wide-ranging impacts. Whilst the underpinning motive for the alleged decision may have some business advantages for the company either in the immediate or long term, its overall consequence on Onne Free Trade Zone and the entire region should attract equal consideration.

    More so, as a foremost oil and gas company in Nigeria that has operated in Onne for more than 20 years, the planned relocation may also serve as impetus for other companies in the zone to follow suit. And when this is encouraged the eventual consequence is a drastic drop in business activities in Onne. This does not only affect the country in terms of revenue loss, it will also lead to job loss and increase in unemployment in an already volatile region. As a case study for other Niger Delta communities, Onne is practically built on the going concern of the companies in the area, especially the Onne Free Trade Zone. This suggests that any challenge faced by Onne Free Trade Zone will directly impact the employment of youths in the community. And the issue has the potential of escalating from a community issue to a regional concern within the shortest possible time.

    The government clearly cannot afford a huge population of idle youths at this point in an already volatile region. It is too much of a risk to ignore. It also sends a negative signal that Shell and its subsidiary SNEPCO may not really be interested in ameliorating the plights of people in the Niger Delta region; rather it portrays the company as one willing to suck the region without committing to its people. Issues like this reinforce the perception in some quarters that the government and the multinationals do not really care about the Niger Delta region, a position that was pushed forward by the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative earlier in the year. More so this alleged decision is coming at a time when Niger Deltans are demanding for multinationals to relocate their headquarters to the region. Whereas that call was amplified by the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo during one of his visits to the region, it has now become a major demand by the leaders of the region. However, this latest alleged decision is potentially capable of injecting a negative dimension to the relatively peaceful atmosphere of unending discussions for stability.

    Ultimately, whilst it is difficult for external powers to determine how a company is run, it is only appropriate that Shell pays attention to the responses that have greeted this decision and act accordingly. Observers have been left in disbelief on what could have informed the alleged decision considering that Onne is considered as one of the best managed ports in Nigeria and the Onne Free Trade Zone, which is the largest in the world, has continue to surpass expectations. More so, the Onne people have been friendly and receptive to companies operating in their community in an exemplary manner.

    So far, the government has been silent on the matter. The role of the government is important at this point to understand the issues and provide useful perspectives to SNEPCO. The contribution of SNEPCO to Onne through the Free Trade Zone is enormous and cannot be wished away. Without companies like SNEPCO, the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone would not have been able to employ the number of youths it has on its payroll.

    At this point it is advisable to let sleeping dogs lie and not create unnecessary tension in the Niger Delta region. The government has worked assiduously to ensure that relative peace is sustained in the Niger Delta. And in fairness to both the federal and state governments, there has been a considerable absence of violence and militancy in the region. Nigeria has consistently met its daily oil production target due to this relative peace. There is no need therefore to trigger unnecessary disaffection amongst the people for a decision that has no expediency to it. Besides, SNEPCO will do better having all its property and equipment, including turbines, engine spares close to its operations.

  • SNEPCo donates four science labs to Kwara school

    Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) has donated four ultramodern science laboratories to Eruku Secondary Commercial School in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    This is the latest effort by the Shell deep-offshore company to spread its social investments across the country and boost the study of science subjects among secondary school pupils.

    “The importance of science education cannot be over-emphasised particularly in this age of rapid technology advancement. Government alone cannot do it which is why SNEPCo, its government and co-venture partners have continued to intervene in this critical area of youth development just as much as we do in the health sector,” said Managing Director of SNEPCo, Bayo Ojulari, at a ceremony in the school to handover the multimillion naira laboratories to the school management.

    Represented by SNEPCo’s General Manager, Deepwater Exploration, Adedayo Adewuyi, Ojulari charged the students to take maximum learning advantage offered by the well-equipped laboratories to develop their potential in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

    Deputy Manager, Community Development, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mrs Jolayemi Kolapo, said the company was pleased to support SNEPCo’s focus on education across the country as a proof-point of the government’s commitment to people development in its partnership with oil and gas companies in the country.

    Kolapo, represented by the company’s Group General Manager, Roland Ewubare, said: “We believe that our investments should not just be in the bolts and nuts but also in the people. Assisting the government to provide quality Education delivery is a crucial aspect of our investment and that is why NAPIMS is pleased to partner with SNEPCo on the delivery of this project. We, therefore, encourage the school to make judicious use of the laboratories for the intended purpose. It is only by so doing that the huge investment made in putting this project in place would be justified.”

    State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Bilikisu Oniyangi, described the labs as world-class standard and charged parents and teachers to ‘’deliberately encourage youths to have inquisitive minds that can help in carrying out research for solving modern day challenges that pose a threat to humanity’’.

    Oniyangi, represented by Director, Human Capital Development in the ministry, Mrs. Comfort Abioye, described SNEPCo’s intervention as timely, noting: ‘’The project supports the policy thrust of the state governor on the improvement of quality teaching and learning of science subjects aimed at facilitating development in technology and human development.’’

  • SNEPCo sponsors Nigerian, Chinese suppliers to boost Nigerian content

    More than 20 Nigerian and 60 Chinese suppliers have met in Shanghai in China on how to boost the capacity of indigenous vendors in the oil and gas industry.

    The event was sponsored by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

    Coming shortly after the fourth edition of the Global Nigerian Forum in Aberdeen, Scotland, the  event, offered the Nigerians an opportunity to engage their Chinese counterparts on issues, such as transfer of technology and cost leadership.

    In his opening speech, the General Manager of Shell China Strategic Sourcing Development, Ding, Hiu Kwong said local content development is global, and not limited  to Nigeria, adding that Shell will continue to focus on safety, quality and cost reduction in China, as part of efforts to imp

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)  Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Tunde Adelana, commended Shell Companies in Nigeria for pioneering the collaboration between Chinese and Nigerian suppliers. He challenged the Chinese to establish their presence in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and compete with the other international companies that are taking the lead in major projects.

    Adelana, who represented NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Simbi  Wabote, said Shell has done well in local content development in Nigeria.

    The Petroleum Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Vice Chairman Geoff Onuoha said Nigerian companies were keen on developing partnerships and effective collaborations for better service delivery lauded Shell “for the tenacity and commitment in pioneering a game changing initiative”.

    Onuoha, who is the NAPIMS Group General Manager, represented by Alexander Chukwu, said: “We expect to see the birth of new joint ventures and collaboration between Nigerian and Chinese suppliers.”

    He advised the delegates to look beyond the event and take advantage of the opportunity to deploy technologies and solutions that deliver quality services and reduce cost.

    SNEPCo’s Nigerian Content Development Manager, Austin Uzoka, said there were many areas in which Nigerian and Chinese suppliers could collaborate in the oil and gas company and that Shell would continue to provide the required opportunities within its resources.

    The Nigerias also visited some companies, among them, Neway valves, the world largest valve manufacturer, Sulzer Pumps, Hilong and MSP Drillex facilities, to deepen their appreciation of best practices.

    The Chinese suppliers, on their part, obtained guidance on business development and capital investment in Nigeria.

    SNEPCo’s Contracting and Supply team tracked the cost opportunities and work to embed them as part of an overarching cost reduction drive and faster supply chain transactions.

  • 100 pupils receive SNEPCo’s scholarships

    More than 100 pupils from the six geo-political zones have been awarded full-board six-year secondary school scholarships by the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in the third edition of the NNPC/SNEPCo National Cradle-to-Career (NC2C) programme, designed to give top quality education to bright, but indigent youths.

    The latest awards bring to 267 the total sponsorship since the  NNPC/SNEPCo NC2C was introduced three years ago. The beneficiaries have joined the other recipients, who are enrolled in six leading private schools – Lead Forte Gate College, Lagos; Premiere Academy, Abuja; Nigerian Tulip International College, Kaduna; St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Lagos; Top Faith International Secondary School, Akwa Ibom State; and Grundtvig International Secondary School, Anambra State.

    During the award at Lead Fort Gate College, Lekki in Lagos, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, commended SNEPCo for the success of the NC2C which she said had achieved its purpose by helping to bridge educational inequalities resulting from socio-economic differences.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, the deputy governor added, “SNEPCo has kept faith with the commitment of supporting indigent Nigerian youths to attend some of the best secondary schools in the country and helping to reduce the number of school dropout before completion of basic education.”

    SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, who was represented at the award ceremony by the General Manager Exploration, Mr. Dayo Adewuyi, said the educational initiative contributes towards the actualisation of the UNESCO ‘Education for All’ goal.

    He said: “We also do this because, to us in SNEPCo, education is key to national development. In the three years of the programme, we are already seeing signs of success. Last year, for instance, one of the scholars was awarded a scholarship by the implementing school because of her exceptional academic performance. So, I expect that this set will settle for no less.”

    The award recipients emerged through a competitive process starting with an aptitude test which was open to graduating pupils in public primary schools in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They then underwent a two-week orientation programme with introductory courses in academics, character and psychology to prepare them for a seamless integration into their new learning environment.

    The NC2C scholarships are just one of the many programmes in SNEPCo’s social investment portfolio in Nigeria. Other programmes include the equipping and donation of information technology and communication centres in many primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and hosting of health outreaches in different parts of the country. SNEPCo had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a multi-million naira eLibrary for the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, and the company signed another MoU last week for the construction of a centre of excellence in Geoscience at the University of Lagos.

  • SNEPCo trains medical workers in emergency care

    SNEPCo trains medical workers in emergency care

    Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has facilitated the training of medical workers from hospitals in Anambra State on emergency resuscitation, delivering a critical component of its commitment to providing skilled and timely response to emergencies in the state.

    The training of the 70 workers on Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support which took place at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, according to Shell’s spokesman, Bamidele Odugbesan, was delivered by Emergency Response International, a body accredited by the American Heart Association for this specialised skill building.

    “SNEPCo is pleased to carry out these important trainings in Anambra State,” said Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola. “Timely response to emergencies is a matter of life and death, and even then, deploying an unskilled medical staff to an emergency is itself an emergency. We now expect the 70 skilled responders to positively impact their areas of work in the state.”

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, thanked SNEPCo for helping to save lives in medical emergencies by improving the skills of healthcare professionals.  A participant at the training, Dr. Nathan Elochukwu Ojekwu, said: “This initiative requires a lot of resources, but SNEPCo did it for free. I promise to put this training to good use by saving lives.”

    The training is a key aspect of the intervention of SNEPCo – with the active support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and co-venture partners – in strengthening the quality of healthcare services at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital and emergency skills in Anambra State, which began in 2013. The intervention has also seen the commencement of breast cancer and dialysis services and the donation of medical equipment worth over N120 million.

    In addition to the project at Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, SNEPCo developed the capacity of health workers in seven states in the South West and South South regions, and supported the BEARS Foundation for the repair of congenital cleft lip and palate. Late last year, thousands of residents in Lagos benefitted from a health outreach organised by SNEPCo, which offered free medical services and education at strategic areas in the mega city.

    In the past four years, SNEPCo worked with an NGO (Extended Hands) to undertake corrective surgery and treatment of over 150 women suffering from Vesical Vaginal Fistula (VVF) across the six geo-political zones.

  • NNPC, SNEPCo celebrate musical talents in Lagos

    The choir of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Secondary School, Ikeja – Lagos has won the just concluded 14th edition of the all Lagos secondary schools choral competition, sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

    With a brilliant rendition of Sally Albrecht’s Friends on Our Left, and William Barnes’ Linden Lea, the school’s mixed choir cruised home to victory, earning them individual prizes and musical instruments for their school. Halifield Secondary School, Maryland, came second, while Holy Child College, Obalende, emerged third.

    Special guest of honour at the event and wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, praised the NNPC/SNEPCo initiative, noting that beyond the competition was the opportunity to groom songsters who combine their musical talent with education.

    In 14 years since the programme began, many young talents have been discovered, raised and nurtured to stardom. The first lady, represented by Mrs. Jumoke Adeyemi, said: “I urge all of you children to invest your time wisely in useful and productive engagements like music.”

    The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Dafe Sejebor, restated the commitment of the agency to the support of “initiatives that will positively impact the lives of Nigerians.” Represented by Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, the NAPIMS boss noted that music had the potential to help students in the development of their brain and raising their state of consciousness, among other benefits.

    In his remarks, Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Government Relations Manager, Alan Udi, said SNEPCo was committed to preserving the dying culture of traditional folksongs, and the moral lessons that they teach. “SNEPCo views music as a crucial community builder. We are therefore committed to engaging and empowering our young people, giving them the opportunity to develop their talents in all areas.”