Energy
Sahara Group, UNILAG collaborate on sustainability, global competitiveness
Leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has announced the establishment of the Sahara School of Innovation and Extrapreneurship at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, to serve as a platform for promoting inventions and solutions that would facilitate sustainable development and global competitiveness in Africa.
Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, said the company would collaborate with UNILAG to make the school a world class facility that will proffer solutions to future challenges today, with emphasis on areas like the future of energy, entrepreneurship, data science, digital arts and culture, artificial intelligence and robotics, and fintech, among others.
The sod-turning ceremony of the proposed school held on Friday October 28, 2022. “This project reinforces our commitment to giving back always and serves as one of Sahara Group’s contributions towards building a formidable legacy for sustainable development. For over 26 years, innovation and extraprenuership have driven Sahara’s growth across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. We are confident that working with the University of Lagos, a foremost institution of global repute, the school would deliver sustainable value for the benefit of Africa and the world at large,” said Gray whose directorate would drive the project..
Commending Sahara Group for the initiative, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, stated it is particularly gladdening that the drivers of the project are alumni of the University from different Faculties who have by their achievements, individually and jointly, demonstrated to the world the quality of UNILAG products. He noted that the Sahara Group School of Innovation and Extrapreneurship project hallmarks the repositioning of UNILAG as a “University of The Future”, a vision that has shaped its pursuits over the last five years and informs its 60th anniversary theme: UNILAG@60: Eyes on the Future.
“We, at the University of Lagos are committed to building on our heritage of excellence to continue to produce graduates that are locally relevant and globally-competitive as the alumni before us today. We aim to instill in our students, more than ever, the culture of innovation, entrepreneurship,” the VC added.
Gray said a timeline of 24 months has been set for the completion of the project with clear sustainability indices in terms of seamless maintenance, inclusiveness, transparency, relevance and scalability of modules/inventions, access to strategic/financial advisory and collaboration for regional and global impact.
She also announced the launch of the Sahara Scholar Award aimed at “energising excellence” through rewards to university students with outstanding performance in select disciplines. The Sahara Scholar Award will commence from the University of Lagos as a pilot scheme, and progressively expand in scope across Africa.
“The unique thing about the first phase of the Sahara Scholar Award is that it is wholly funded by the Group Executive Directors of the Sahara Group as a way of giving back to the University of Lagos where most of them received their university education and some also had parents who taught at the university. The award will be N1 million yearly for each category, including provision for annual sponsorship of exchange programmes for lecturers within Africa,” she added.
Categories under the Sahara Scholar Award include one-off prizes for 26 outstanding students to mark Sahara Group’s 26th anniversary, Temitope Shonubi prize for Best Improved Student in Architecture, Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka Prize for Best Graduating Student in Economics, Wale Ajibade Prize for Best Improved Student in Economics, Ade Odunsi Prize for Best Student in Finance, and Kola Adesina Prize for Best Graduating Student in Business Management.
Others are: Dr. Folashodun Shonubi Prize for Best Graduating Student in Mechanical Engineering, Zacchaeus Odunsi Prize for Best Entry Level Student in Civil Engineering, Mr. Adegoke Adeniji Prize for Best Graduating Student in Library and Information Science, Dr. John Falegan Prize for Best Graduating Student in Insurance and Actuarial Science, Asharami Prize for Best AI/Fintech invention and Sahara Group Prize for Best Entrepreneurial Dissertation in Architecture, Engineering, and Economics.
Energy
Asharami Synergy Unveils Fuelling Solutions In Omagwa
In line with its commitment to driving access to quality petroleum products, Asharami Synergy Limited, a leading Sahara Group downstream company, has said the public can now access exceptional fuelling solutions at its newly commissioned retail station in Omagwa, Rivers State.
Situated strategically along the Airport Road in Omagwa, the station, which features a storage capacity of 45,000 litres each for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO, also known as diesel) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, also known as petrol) is equipped with two pumps and four discharge nozzles for PMS and AGO.
The facility also has ample space for sundry services in a bid to ensure consumers get more “miles and smiles” as well as the energy to “go further” with Asharami’s world-class products.
“The Asharami Omagwa Retail Station is fully operational, offering a range of premium products and services. It’s a one-stop shop that also gives our esteemed customers eat-in and take-out restaurant services, shopping, as well as the Asha lubricants and Asha Service experience which will ensure premium care for all classes of automobiles and engines,” said Oladimeji Williams, Head, Government Relations and Business Development at Asharami Synergy.
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At the Commissioning, Willaims said the new station represents an important step in Asharami Synergy’s expansion plan aimed at reaching and serving more communities responsibly. “This station is strategically positioned close to the airport, serving as the gateway for powering socio-economic development in the community and those close to it, while enabling Asharami Synergy integrate all aspects of its downstream business towards ensuring efficiency and value for our customers,” he stated.
Williams commended the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Omagwa community leaders for their support and collaboration throughout the project’s duration, describing it as a “seamless and productive process that highlights Asharami’s corporate stewardship and social impact” in the community.
Similarly, Ifesinachi Ezike, Regional General Manager (South South), FAAN, emphasized the broader significance of the new station, stating, “This occasion marks a significant milestone not just for Asharami Synergy but for the airport and the entire community. It marks not just an opening of a new facility but the beginning of a renewed commitment to enhancing the travel experience of all our passengers and stakeholders”.
In a move that underscores its commitment to sustainability and community development, Asharami Synergy also commissioned a solar-powered borehole during the launch. The borehole is set to improve access to clean and reliable water for residents, marking a tangible contribution to the local community.
“At Sahara, we are always making a difference—not just through our business operations; we are unwavering in our commitment to driving sustainable development and building partnerships that enhance the well-being of our host communities,” Williams added.
Energy
Awards Galore For Shell, Staff At NAPE 2024 Conference
The Shell companies in Nigeria and staff won awards in recognition of their robust participation at the 42nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), held in Lagos.
At the closing dinner of the event, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams pledged sustained efforts by the company to address “the Nigerian energy trilemma by powering progress towards energy security in a sustainable manner”.
On the awards, the Shell was declared Best Overall Exhibitor and Best Exhibiting Energy company (International) just as Geophysicist Somime Oguntola took home the Award of Excellence for Oral Paper (second place).
The icing on the cake was a Shell staff, Johnbosco Uche, being installed as the new President of the NAPE.
It was gathered that the Shell companies in Nigeria have supported NAPE since its founding in 1975, using the skills and expertise of the large pool of energy professionals in its employment to improve its activities especially educational and mentoring programmes.
In addition to being a major sponsor of the 2024 conference, Shell mounted a high-profile exhibition, featuring among other things, career counselling, engagements on Nigerian Content and Contractor development and panel sessions on Women in Industry and Sustainability Energy Challenge.
A highlight was the Shell medical stand which attended to more than more than 500 conference participants and members of the public over the four days of the annual event. The doctors and nurses offered a wide range of services including laboratory tests, deworming, medical consultation as well as ophthalmology checks and distribution of nearly 300 eyeglasses.
Adams referred to the operations of SNEPCo as an example of Shell’s contribution to energy security in Nigeria. “As a result of sustained production from Bonga, we have provided funds to finance development, created a new generation of Nigerian Deepwater professionals, empowered indigenous contractors and service providers, and implemented social investments that have touched lives in the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.
Adams added, “SNEPCo and indeed Shell are in Nigeria for the long haul. Our commitment is reflected in both our current and growth plans, all of which are grounded in principles of safety, affordability, and competitive performance.”
Energy
Accugas Denies Culpability In Akwa Ibom’s Power Outage
Owing to the persistent power outage, which has crippled economic and social life in most parts of Akwa Ibom State and environs, Accugas Limited has washed its hands off the ugly situation.
This was contained in a statement under the signature of its Communications Manager, Okwudili Onyia, in which the company traced the anomaly to a “fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line”.
To ameliorate the situation, the company maintained that “It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.”
In addition, the company pledged thus, “Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”
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The statement reads, “Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy, wishes to strongly deny the misinformation concerning its alleged involvement in the current power outage in Akwa Ibom State.
“The power cut in Akwa Ibom State is entirely due to the reported fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line, which, unfortunately, is preventing power being transmitted from the National Grid into the State. It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.
“Ibom Power Company (“IPC”) is one of 23 thermal power generation companies which channel power to the National Grid, which in turn disseminates all accumulated power to each State of the Federation through the electricity distribution companies (“Discos”). Indeed, Accugas supplies gas to enable c. 20% of Nigeria’s thermal generation capacity and, as such, is a critical enabler of the Nigerian economy.
“Within Akwa Ibom State, Accugas has been the sole supplier of gas to IPC since 2014 and, together with other Savannah subsidiaries, has invested over US$1.5 billion in gas development within the state. Furthermore, Savannah has recently invested c. US$45 million in a gas compression project at Accugas’ Uquo central processing facility at Esit Eket. Accugas’ commitments also extend to several social investment projects in the state. All the foregoing investments and projects, including other imminent investments Accugas intends to make in the State, demonstrate the Company’s long-term commitment to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
“Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”