PETAN commends Shell’s leadership in Nigerian content

…as new executive visits SNEPCo MD

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), a foremost association of indigenous service companies has commended the pioneering role of Shell in the development of Nigerian content in the oil industry.  “Most of us have our roots here,” said the Chairman of the association, Bank Anthony Okoroafor, as he led a team on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari. “The relationship with Shell has given us the required foundation and encouragement and we are now in a position to add value to the operations of oil companies in Nigeria.”

 

Mr. Okoroafor, who was elected the Chairman of PETAN in March 2016, said the members were on a familiarisation tour of international and national oil companies to brief them on the rebranding of the group that will see it play a more active role in the development of the oil and gas industry, “especially at this time of cost pressures.” He said PETAN had created target groups to liaise with oil companies, including SNEPCo, and would like to contribute solutions to challenges on projects, cost and production.     

 

He added: “PETAN is already working with SPDC on an internship programme where graduates learn skills on one-year attachments to our companies and it will be very good to do the same with SNEPCo.”

 

In his remarks, Mr. Ojulari commended the role of PETAN in the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. He said: “The new executive has come at a critical time in our industry. I would advise PETAN members to collaborate more effectively so they can present a unified front work that will be competitive in the global oil industry.”

 

The SNEPCo MD was accompanied by his leadership team, who highlighted various areas of potential collaboration with PETAN, including project implementation, cost leadership and value-adding service to the industry.

 

Shell companies in Nigeria make a major contribution to developing the country’s human capital and contracting capacity. Some 93% of contracts were awarded to Nigerian companies in 2015. Shell companies in Nigeria won PETAN’s Local Content Operator of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015

Nigerian Navy Restricts 200 HP outboard Engines on Waterway

ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF 200 HORSE POWER OUTBOARD ENGINES ON NIGERIAN WATERWAYS 
1. As part of measures put in place to checkmate crimes in the nation’s coastal waters, especially the menace of piracy and smuggling, the Nigerian Navy wishes to remind all seafarers and companies operating within the coastal waters that there will soon be a restriction on the use of 200 horse power (HP) Outboard Engines on our waterways. 

2. The measure which is part of strategic efforts by the Service to ensure that the nation’s coastal waterways are secure for legitimate activities, became necessary due to the fact that pirates and other criminals use this high powered caliber engines to proceed into international waters within the Gulf of Guinea. It has also been observed that the criminals carry out their nefarious activities at sea with the aid of this class of engines which are mounted on boats stowed on mother ships. 

3. In recent times, the Nigerian Navy and its maritime security partners especially Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta have confiscated many boats with 200 horse power outboard engines. Some of the confiscated engines have been released to their owners after strict profiling exercises. However investigation has proven that people of questionable characters whose interest are in breach of security in the waterways use this class of high powered engines to perpetuate crimes. 

4. Consequently, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is working with various state governments of the coastal states to ensure that individuals and corporate organisations who are in possession of, or wishing to acquire outboard engines in the capacity    of 200 and above horse powers should register with the Nigerian Navy. The registration and profiling which would be free, is a step towards ensuring that only authorized persons and corporate organisations are allowed to use this class of engines on Nigeria’s coastal waters. Besides, this step will establish a credible data base of users of the boats fitted with these high caliber engines. 

5. In this regard, the Nigerian Navy solicits the cooperation of State Governments in the coastal areas on the restriction and profiling of this class of outboard engines. Currently, the Government of Delta and Bayelsa States have provided necessary support to the Nigerian Navy and its maritime Security partners. 

6. The Nigerian Navy further assures that more proactive strategies have been launched by the Service and its maritime security partners to curb all forms of crimes and unwholesome activities in the maritime domain. In view of the importance of the information for the security of our nation’s economic assets and the safety of her people, you are kindly requested to disseminate this for the awareness of all. 

CFA whips visiting Indian Teams

The Cowbell Football Academy (CFA) hosted the Indian International Language School, Ilupeju, Lagos on Saturday to a friendly match between its Under-10 and Under-15 teams respectively, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

 

The 40-minute game was flagged off at 9:35am, with the CFA Under-10 side beating their Indian Counterpart with a whopping 5-1 victory, while the game for the Under-15 team which flagged off an hour later recorded a 4-0 victory in favour of the Cowbell Team.

 

Satisfied with the performance of his players, Hycienth Nkwocha, Head Coach/Technical Coordinator, Cowbell Football Academy; explained that the players are usually recruited when they are young before they are trained on the metrics of the game of football.

 

His words: “When we catch them very young, we groom them and this helps them in the future unlike us, who started very late. Besides, they are learning very fast and we must use this medium to train them and improve on areas where they are lacking in skills and techniques. Both teams displayed aggression, strong attacking spirit, goal-oriented style of football and they are disciplined.”

 

The Head Coach stated that the team had worked hard to ensure they beat their counterparts. According to him, self discipline is key to outstanding success in football career; adding that without this no matter how laudable one’s goal might be it would be short-lived. He therefore identified the trainings, the players had gone through as part of the factors that made the team’s success possible.

 

His words: “If you want to be a good footballer, you have to be discipline and work hard. You cannot win a football game without hard work and discipline. The two variables will take you far in your career. We’ve done a lot of drills, prepared and worked hard for the game.”

 

Meanwhile, Tejas Khatavkar, Captain, Indian Language School International Under-15 Team; commended his team members for the courage and determination they showed in the game against the CFA squad. According to him, the young players had never played at a prominent football pitch like the National Stadium. His words: “The reverse is the case with CFA team who is conversant with the length and breadth of the Main Bowl of the National Stadium.”     

 

Khatavkar expressed gratitude to Cowbell, a brand from the staple of Promasidor Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the Academy, which he said serves as a platform for the nation in sourcing for good players for the national teams. Based on this, he implored Promasidor not to rescind its sponsorship for the CFA. “I want to play football professionally in the future. Learning these skills here in Nigeria is good, because we have good players in Nigeria, and I love Nigeria so much because it’s like a Fatherland to me,’ says Khatavkar.

The academy is committed to preparing young footballers, between ages Five and 17 years to shine as stars in the future.

 

Cowbell Football Academy was launched in 2012 as a corporate social responsibility programme by Promasidor Nigeria with the aim of building and developing the nation through sports. 

Furthermore, the initiative behind the academy is the company’s contribution to developing sports in the country, especially the game of football. Apart from that, this will create an enabling environment to grooming young football players who are still in schools. As such, Promasidor continues to place emphasis on the need for children to be better academically as well as in extra-curricular activities (sports).

IBB had surgery,not gravely Ill.

Ex President  Ibrahim Babangida recently underwent corrective surgery on his troubled leg and is now rehabilitating. 

Contrary to the story that the ex general and civil war hero is gravely Ill,the family said nothing could be further from the truth than this.

Actor Big-Val Jokotoye's United States Wedding Pictures

These are the pictures from actor Big-Val Jokotoye's wedding pictures in United Stars of America yesterday.

OONI'S GRANDMOTHER TO BE BURIED ON SATURDAY

The remains of Olori Marian Ogunwusi, the late grandmother of Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II will be interred in the ancient City of Ile-Ife on Saturday 23rd April 2916.

Fashola Speaks On President Buhari's Foreign Trips

PMB's Foreign Trips - My Takeaway 

In making this public intervention, I seek to highlight the benefit of global relationships and cooperation in a world that is changing daily as a result of globalization and transbordereconomics, social and even criminal activities where no one is safe, except all are safe, and to leave the dispassionate observer his opinion after deep reflection on the value, or lack of it, of the President’s foreign trips.

Sterling Bank Emerges Tops at Risk Management Award

- Holds 54^thAGM

In recognition of its excellent risk management practices, Sterling Bank was conferred with the award for the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Banking and Investment Services category of the Nigeria Risk Award (NRA) for 2015. The Award was presented to the Bank last weekend at Nigerian Economic & Social Risks Summit which held in Lagos. 

OPU Day Of Glory In South Africa

April 16th  2016  was another  historic day in the life of Oodua Progressive Union  , a socio cultural organization that is championing the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition  in the foreign land as  the South Africa Chapter of the Organization was officially launched

Marriage Breakup: Mide Funmi Martin Reveals Why Things Fell Apart

It is now official that Mide Funmi Martins and her actor hubby Afeez are separated.  What is not however official is the reason the acting couple got separated.

Well, Mide just stated her own side as captured below.