I always look forward to sharing my reflections with you on the Association’s activities during the month. I hope you are all staying safe and helping to contribute in individual and collective ways to the success of the Nigerian project.
I received with shock, but with perfect submission to the will of God, the news of the passing of a Fellow of the Association and member of the NAPE Advisory Council, Reginald Mbah, FNAPE. Reggie was a fine gentleman, a brilliant geoscientist and deeply committed to philanthropy and to the practice and teaching of the geoscience profession. His death has left huge holes in various activities, Committees, initiatives, etc. not just in NAPE but indeed in a lot of areas of life where Reggie got involved in. He will be greatly missed. On behalf of the NAPE Executive Committee, I extend our sympathies to the Mbah family.
I was honored to have attended the 6th edition of the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES), held April 16th to 20th in Abuja. It was a gathering of Energy Industry leaders and key players to discuss and showcase recent and emerging thoughts and trends in the Energy space under the theme, ‘Global Perspectives for a sustainable Energy Future’.
The NIES conference presented an excellent opportunity for NAPE executives to engage with relevant stakeholders in attendance for the benefit of NAPE particularly the 2023 NAPE conference in terms of participation and sponsorships. Also of special mention at the event was our engagement with petroleum explorationists and stakeholders from other African countries for possible collaboration.
While NAPE also had an Exhibition booth at this Summit, I was part of a panel session on the New NNPC briefing that specifically delved into the role of the African National Oil & Gas companies in steering exploration and production activities and supporting the local value chain. A very insightful and thought-provoking session. Kudos to the organizers of the Summit for a very successful outcome.
Members of the NAPE Executive Committee continued our series of roadshows in April, visiting Newcross E&P/Panocean Group in Lagos. On the sidelines of the NIES event, we also visited the Nigerian Agip Oil Company as well as NNPC Energy Services Limited (Enserve). These visits enabled us to express our appreciation to these companies for their continued support of NAPE activities, outline our proposed programme for the rest of the year as well as request their collaboration to advance these efforts. I want to thank our hosts during these visits for their warm hospitality.
Our local chapters are maintaining the momentum as our Uyo Chapter held a Technical Meeting April 19th dealing with the Application of Rock Typing in Reservoir Characterization. The feedback suggested that it was a great turnout, and we salute the Dr. Harry-led Chapter. Our members look forward to, and will be presented with, similar exciting technical/business sessions as part of our Continuing Education Programme.
The Conference Planning Committee continued the Annual Conference planning activities, and I am encouraged by the interest that this year’s Conference is getting in terms of emerging Exhibition subscriptions and registration and encourage our members and potential attendees to take advantage of the early-bird discounts, submit technical papers and volunteer for any of the various Committees for what promises to be an exciting Conference.
The NAPE Election cycle for this year has started with nominations expected for the positions of President-elect, Vice-President, and University Assistance Program (UAP) Chairman. I am soliciting active participation of our members in this year’s elections. The successful steering of our Association’s activities rests heavily on the calibre of members that are elected to the Executive Committee. I do know we have committed members within the Association, and I am expecting these folks to come forward. Members are also enjoined to pay their yearly dues as the elections (including nominations, sponsorships, and voting) are for financially up-to-date members of the Association.
The Association is also on a membership-growing drive and our Membership Committee are working on several initiatives in this regard. In the meantime, members are encouraged to invite intending members to the Association as well as regularize their own memberships as applicable.
The second half of the year looks packed with activities and our Publicity team will be releasing details of these in the next few weeks. We will continue our corporate advocacy initiatives, put our roadshows in high gear and enhance collaboration with sister Associations and companies.
Please drop me a line if you have innovative ideas to improve our Association in the short-, medium-, and long-term.
Best Regards,
Elliot Ibie, FNAPE,
President, NAPE