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3rd SITEI Conference gathers steam as business leaders set to atten

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Lagos-

Oil Rig

Oil Rig

THERE are high indications that key stakeholders in the in the Nigerian Public and private sectors would be attending this year’s Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference holding at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This was contained in a statement issued by the organisers of the event in Lagos and made available to Biztellers. It reads in part that plans are in top gear for a successful hosting of the third, with endorsements and confirmation of attendance by keynote speakers, industry captains and heads of relevant government agencies, ministries and parastatals.

 

“Top on the list of endorsements and confirmed attendees are the Executive Governor, Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ernest Nwapa.

Others include Raymond Wilcox, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Chevron; Lara Banjoko, Chief Executive Officer, Zone 4 Energy; Yomi Awobokun, Chief Executive Officer, Oando Downstream; Dayo Okusami, General Counsel and Executive Director, Atlantic Energy; Ladi Bada, Chief Executive Officer, Shoreline Natural Resources Limited;

Meka Olowola, Managing Partner, Zenera Consulting; Douglas Kativu, Head, Global Reporting Initiative Focal Point; Emeka Ene, Chairman, PETAN; Niyi Yusuf, Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria; Innocent Chukwuma, West Africa Representative, Ford Foundation; John Momoh, Chairman, Channels Television; Christine K, Director, Heinrich Boell Foundation Nigeria;

Jeffrey Corey, COO, Seven Energy; Prof. Wale Omole, Member, Board of Trustee, CSR-in-Action; Fidel Pepple, Immediate Past General Manager, NAPIMS; Olufemi Olarewaju, Director Sustainability School; Taofiq Tijani, Hon. Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State; Doyin Olutona, Co-Founder, U-turn Africa; Owanari Duke, Country Director, Empretech Foundation; Innocent Lagi, Attorney General, Nasarawa State; Samuel Ayinde, Director, International Organisation for Youth Advocacy and Development, among other dignitaries from relevant government parastatals, community advocators and companies in the mining and oil and gas sectors.

 

The theme for the SITEI conference, which is the third in the series, is “Local Content Participation, Accountability and Transparency.” The highly anticipated event will address the challenges of local entrepreneurs, job seekers, policies and critical issues surrounding the implementation of quality local content participation in the Extractive Industries and proffer practical solutions towards improving entrance, accountability and transparency in the sector. “

 

The conference holds on Friday, October 24, 2014, and is organised by CSR-in-Action, a non-profit organisation devoted to the advancement of social ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance in Africa.

 

According to CSR-in-Action’s Executive Director and Conference Convener, Bekeme Masade, the conference is a call to action for players, aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals in the sector to play more active roles towards better industry practices and a more rewarding experience for all.

“We are hoping the conference would encourage the youths in particular to explore the unique opportunities that abound in the sector in Africa and leverage on the current boom in investments in mining and associated infrastructure. We are also hoping that investors, lenders and bigger companies reduce the entry threshold for healthy competition and the empowerment of the average, focussed citizen,” she enthused.

Speaking further, she added that “We want to see more emphatic commitments by the big players to ensure merit-based increase in local content participation to drive Nigeria’s economic development into the future.”

Mr Esimaje Brikinn, Head, Social Performance and Planning, Chevron Nigeria, in explaining why they decided to support the conference echoed the sentiments of the other sponsors in the room, saying “the Conference theme closely relates to the DNA of Chevron’s activities around Nigerian Content Development”.

The theme of this year’s event is a natural sequel to the successful second SITEI conference, which had as keynote speaker, the former World Bank Vice President for Africa Region, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili. The second edition discussed the need for implementable policies in the sector and produced a convergence of important opinions and contributions on the topic from different stakeholders cutting across private sectors, government representatives and community leaders.

 

The SITEI event this year is, therefore, expected to address nagging issues that have threatened to stagnate the local content drive, like quality of local content players – vendors, contractors and business men – to play more active and dominant roles in the extractive industries.

The conference will feature workshop sessions with stimulating topics for discussion, with a potpourri of sustainable solutions expected to be provided to enforce the message and spirit of the conference, which is geared toward greater local content participation in the extractive industries.

 

To drive youth and mass participation in entrepreneurship, skills development and in the activities within the Extractive Industries, CSR-in-Action brings a new twist to this year’s SITEI Conference with the introduction of an Essay and Logo Design competition. This competition with the theme “Quality Local Content Participation in the Extractive Industries: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions” is an opportunity for interested members of the public who have a burning desire to see increased local content in the extractive industries to provide a precise overview of the sector and proffer lasting panacea for all stakeholders. Visit www.csrinaction.org/SITEI2014 to participate and for more details.

 

To address any health fears with regard to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) currently ravaging some West Africa countries, Executive Director, Bekeme Masade assures conference participants that appropriate measures have been taken to ensure simple and necessary health practices are adhered to at the event to guarantee a hitch-free conference following a partnership with PathCare Nigeria.

Social media audiences will enjoy a live streaming of the key messages and proceedings. Media partners include Inspiration FM, Channels Television, Y Naija, Nigeria Info FM, CNBC, FRCN Radio one Sweet Crude Reports, and African Energy, and Technical partners are Pathcare Laboratories to address health fears and Swift Networks for exclusive Internet Connectivity at the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business

Ingentia Energies Appoints New MD

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Indigenous oil and gas company, Ingentia Energies Limited, has appointed a former Shell executive, Engr Victor Agbaroji, as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

It was gathered that Agbaroji assumed office on 1 September 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the company’s interim managing director, Engr Charles Odita, who led the firm between March and August 2026.

The company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, after a leadership transition ceremony held in Lagos.

READ ALSO: Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

Speaking during the event, Odita said his six-month tenure was productive and expressed confidence in Agbaroji’s ability to accelerate the company’s growth.

“It is my privilege today to hand over the affairs of Ingentia Energies Limited to the incoming managing director, Engr Victor Agbaroji. The company has achieved a lot within the last six months; it is our desire that the new Managing Director will take us to the next level, and I am confident that as an industry veteran, he would hit the ground running and accelerate the company’s growth trajectory,” Odita stated.

In his acceptance remarks, Agbaroji said he would consolidate the gains made under the outgoing management while focusing on safety, talent development, innovation and cost competitiveness.

“Our immediate focus is to consolidate and sustain the gains we have made. Ingentia Energies has set the pace among its peers in growing the company since the acquisition of its licence, and we intend to maintain that momentum, holding in high esteem our company’s greatest assets – people – and taking into recognition the importance of safety, talent development, innovation and cost-competitiveness. IEL will ensure that our people work safely and return home to their loved ones every day. At the same time, we will continue to develop talents, improve efficiency, embrace innovative ways of creating value, and deliver strong returns to our shareholders and stakeholders while affirming our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy aspirations, including the national target of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day,” the new MD said.

According to the statement, Agbaroji brings more than 31 years of experience across the oil and gas value chain to the new position.

He began his professional career as a well-test engineer, gaining experience across several fields before moving to Shell as a reservoir engineer.

During his career at Shell, he held various positions covering operations engineering, corporate petroleum engineering, corporate planning and economics.

The company said he contributed to portfolio optimisation initiatives that supported the emergence of Nigeria’s indigenous marginal field operators.

Agbaroji also served as front-end development manager for major gas projects, including gas supply initiatives for fertiliser production.

At the global level, he was global operations manager for reserves reporting across the Shell Group, overseeing activities spanning Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

He subsequently moved into Nigeria’s independent oil sector, where he brought international industry practices into indigenous operations.

Before joining Ingentia Energies, Agbaroji led technical advisory, risk management and project delivery support services for emerging energy companies.

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Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

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President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has commended the Federal Government for implementing bold and transformative economic reforms repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth, strengthening investor confidence, and accelerating the country’s economic recovery.

According to Dangote, the ongoing fiscal, monetary, and regulatory reforms have contributed significantly to improving macroeconomic stability, enhancing productivity across key sectors, increasing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, and fostering a more resilient business environment. He noted that the positive outcomes emerging from the reform agenda underscore the importance of consistent, market-driven policies in advancing national development and economic prosperity.

“The economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government are beginning to yield tangible results. We are witnessing improved economic activity, stronger investor confidence, increased industrial productivity, and a more resilient business environment. These measures are laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for Nigeria,” Dangote stated

READ ALSO: US-Iran Conflict Sees Oil Exceed $94

He explained that the reforms have created a more enabling operating environment for businesses, particularly large-scale manufacturing and industrial enterprises that are critical to economic diversification, job creation, foreign exchange generation, and national competitiveness. He added that government initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, promoting investment, enhancing transparency, and supporting domestic production are providing a solid framework for industrial expansion.

“We commend the Federal Government for its courage and determination in implementing reforms that are essential for economic transformation. While every reform process comes with initial challenges, the benefits are increasingly evident in stronger economic indicators, improved business confidence, and renewed investor interest in Nigeria,” he said.

Dangote further observed that the government’s favourable policy environment has supported the continued growth and efficient operation of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical facility. He noted that policy measures designed to strengthen local refining capacity, reduce import dependence, improve energy security, and encourage value addition have contributed meaningfully to the refinery’s success and Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives.

“The progress being recorded at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex is closely linked to a policy environment that encourages investment, supports domestic industrialisation, and promotes self-sufficiency. These reforms are helping Nigerian businesses to plan with greater certainty, invest with confidence, and compete effectively on the global stage,” he added.

He stated that the refinery’s increasing production capacity and expanding export footprint are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic resurgence by generating foreign exchange earnings, creating employment opportunities, strengthening local supply chains, and positioning the country as a leading energy and manufacturing hub

Reaffirming the Group’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic agenda, Dangote said Dangote Industries Limited would continue to invest in strategic sectors, drive innovation, promote industrial development, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“Our vision has always been to support Nigeria’s economic development through transformative investments. Today, we are witnessing how the combination of private-sector commitment and decisive government policies can unlock unprecedented opportunities for national growth. The refinery, petrochemical operations, fertiliser production, and our other industrial investments are helping to build a more self-reliant, competitive, and prosperous economy,” he said.

He expressed confidence that sustained reforms, policy consistency, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would further stimulate economic growth, attract increased foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations.

“Nigeria is on the path to becoming one of the world’s leading industrial and economic powers. With continued policy consistency, robust private-sector participation, and investment-led growth, the future of our economy is exceptionally bright,” Dangote concluded.

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Group Credits PINL with Safeguarding Environment, Farms

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A group has given kudos to the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for effective pipeline surveillance and community interventions during the recent flooding in parts of the Niger Delta.

The Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) in a statement signed by its Convener, Nse Victor Udoh, noted that the PINL’s operational efficiency and sustained maintenance of pipeline corridors helped prevent additional environmental damage, preserve farmlands and protect aquatic ecosystems from threats associated with pipeline failures and oil spills.

According to the NDPA, annual flooding in the Niger Delta poses serious environmental risks, particularly when floodwaters come into contact with damaged pipelines, oil spills and illegal activities around oil and gas infrastructure.

The organisation noted that the recent flood season was different, as there were no reported cases of widespread oil contamination of floodwaters, dead fish or the spread of oil into farms and residential areas attributable to pipeline failures.

READ ALSO: DPRP Decries Rising Fuel Imports, Despite Strong Local Supply Capacity

It said the development underscored the importance of preventive pipeline management, stressing that effective infrastructure protection was often measured by disasters that were prevented rather than emergencies that attracted public attention.

According to the group, regular patrols, monitoring and right-of-way surveillance enabled PINL to identify and address potential threats before they escalated into major incidents.

It added that inspection, maintenance and repair activities had also contributed to maintaining the integrity of critical pipelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.

The NDPA further commended PINL for its interventions in flood-affected communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States.

It cited the company’s restoration efforts in areas previously affected by illegal refining, as well as empowerment programmes targeting women and youths in host communities.

Udoh said the initiatives showed that corporate social responsibility should go beyond occasional charitable gestures and become part of a sustained commitment to community welfare and development.

“We commend Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, therefore, on two counts that this season has made inseparable: the efficiency of its service, tested by a flood and found equal to it, and the seriousness of its social responsibility,” he said.

He added that the group had observed that farms remained protected and waterways retained their ecological value despite the flooding.

“This season, our farms still stand where the water reached them. Our creeks still hold their life,” Udoh said.

The alliance maintained that infrastructure security and community welfare were closely linked in the Niger Delta, where pipelines pass through several communities and environmentally sensitive areas.

It urged PINL to sustain the standard, stressing that protection of critical national infrastructure, environmental preservation and improved host-community welfare should remain mutually reinforcing objectives.

The NDPA described PINL’s performance during the flood season as an example of how operational efficiency and responsible community engagement could combine to protect energy infrastructure and the environment.

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