VOL. 2, No. 3 - 2016

THE OMOTOWA LEGACY & NLNG’S NEW LEAD MEN NLNG: The Magazine is the corporate magazine of Nigeria LNG Limited. The views and opinions expressed within the magazine however do not necessarily reflect those of Nigeria LNG Limited or its management.

Editor-in-Chief: Kudo Eresia-Eke

Managing Editor: Tony Okonedo

Deputy Managing Editor: Yemi Adeyemi

Editor: Emeka Agbayi

All correspondence to: Emeka Agbayi, Editor, NLNG: The Magazine, Nigeria LNG Limited, Intels Aba Road Estate, Km 16 Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway, PMB 5660, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Tel: 08035350824 Email: [email protected]

Layout, Design & Printing: Artsaels Limited Tel: 08033101310

Printed in Nigeria.

2 Contents

From the Editor-in-Chief 4 President Buhari's wife, Aisha Buhari, names ship 5 NLNG, CORA host 11 shortlisted authors 7 NLNG, Warsash partner on maritime training and safety 9 NLNG reveals secret of its CSR success 10 Minister of State for Petroleum, Kachikwu, pledges government’s support for NLNG 11 NLNG wins first SAP Quality Award in West Africa 12 NLNG is Gas Company of the year 13 NLNG gets CSR Excellence award 14 Bonny Vocational Centre acquires more equipment 15 We earned $40 billion with no cent missing - Babs Omotowa 17 Stakeholder Engagement - in pictures 23 Today's situation demands that we think and do things differently - Tony Attah 25 One deputy goes, another comes 31 Meet Mr. Discount, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu 33 Transforming science education, one laboratory at a time 39 Meet the Judges 44

3 From the Editor-in-Chief

Kudo Eresia-Eke General Manager, External Relations

Celebrating our leaders

Harry Truman, America's 33rd president, who helped found the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), knows leadership. Here's what he said: "Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skilful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Truman is right. Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has made immense progress since it was set up because courageous and skilled leaders have seized the opportunity to change things for the better. The last in this string of leaders is Babs Omotowa, seconded to NLNG by his parent company, Shell, in December 2011. During Omotowa's time here, NLNG earned some $40 billion, became Nigeria's number one home-grown company, led the way in corporate social responsibility. Omotowa built six new LNG carriers and signed into being a new Bonny Master Plan aimed at making Bonny, NLNG's host community, Nigeria's Singapore.

As we roll out the drums to celebrate Omotowa, we welcome his successor, Tony Attah, who comes from Shell's upstream subsidiary, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). Attah replaces Omotowa as NLNG's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Bonny Gas Transport, one of NLNG's subsidiaries. Attah made history leading SNEPCo with a sustained and safe production of more than 200,000 barrels of oil a day as a better integrated company. He has been Vice President HSE and Corporate Affairs, and Vice President Human Resources at Shell.

Attah is joined in the task of managing NLNG by Sadeeq Mai-Bornu who took over from Isa Inuwa. Like Isa Inuwa, Mai-Bornu the new Deputy Managing Director is seconded to NLNG from Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). He distinguished himself at NNPC's subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), where he served as the Managing Director, ramping up oil production from about 87,000 barrels per day (bopd) to a record 155, 000!

This edition of your favourite NLNG: The Magazine is dedicated to these leaders.

Enjoy your reading.

Kudo

4 President Buhari's wife, Aisha Buhari, names ship

By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi

At the commissioning: NLNG's delegation to South Korea including President Buhari's wife, Aisha Buhari, and members of NLNG and BGT's board and management teams with some Nigerian diplomatic community members. Behind them is the new ship, LNG Abuja II

he wife of Nigeria's NLNG and BGT conducted the (SHI). In 2013, BGT signed a TPresident, Mrs Aisha Buhari, ceremonial naming of the contract with SHI and Hyundai recently named a new ship, 175,000m3 ship which will Heavy Industries (HHI) for the LNG Abuja II, owned by Bonny carry LNG from NLNG's Bonny construction and delivery of Gas Transport (BGT), a Terminal to customers around four and two ships respectively. subsidiary of Nigeria LNG the world. Limited (NLNG), in her capacity While bestowing good luck on as the vessel's Godmother. LNG Abuja II is the fifth of the the ship as the Sponsor Lady six newly acquired vessels by and Godmother, Mrs Buhari At a ceremony in Goeje, South NLNG to be commissioned. It is noted that it was with great Korea, Mrs Buhari and top also the third ship built by delight that she received the executives and directors of Samsung Heavy Industries invitation of the Management of

5 that is what this ceremony represents for us. Omotowa further pointed out his company's pride in the fact that LNG Abuja II is truly Nigerian as the cables, anodes, furniture and paints used in building the ship were made in Nigeria and Nigerian manufacturers earned over $10 million exporting Aisha Buhari, Nigeria's First Lady, performing her duty as LNG Abuja II's Godmother and Sponsor Lady

Nigeria LNG Limited to be the God mother of the ship and to commission the new vessel. In her words, “The new ships, I learn, are part of a growth programme which will ensure that NLNG continues to develop its capacity and enhance its reputation as one of the most reliable gas suppliers in the world. I am therefore very pleased to be the new ship's Sponsor Lady and Godmother. From left: Capt. Temi Okesanjo, GM Shipping; Salem Sallam, Manager, Government Relations; By tradition, the Sponsor Lady Babs Omotowa, then MD/CEO; Nigeria's First Lady and the ship's Godmother, Aisha Buhari; bestows good luck on the vessel Dr. O.R. LongJohn, Board Chairman; and Isa Inuwa, then deputy managing director and the crew, and I wish to ship, we can reflect on the materials for this and her sister assure you all that this vessel double symbolism of today's ships. The ceremony was will go out into the world, event. Our country and the witnessed by Mrs Mairo proudly flying Nigeria's flag LNG business are both Almakura, wife of Nasarawa and be an enduring symbol of experiencing some difficult State governor; Mrs Olufunsho the partnership and times. It is altogether fitting and Amosun, wife of Ogun State cooperation between our two symbolic that our country and governor; Mrs Zainab Bagudu, countries for many years to our company are by this wife of Kebbi State governor; come,” she added. ceremony reaffirming our faith Mrs Nkechi Okorocha, wife of and confidence in a bright and Imo State governor; Dr In his opening speech, Babs prosperous future for our Osobonye LongJohn, Omotowa, former Managing country as well as our industry. Chairman, NLNG Board of Director and Chief Executive This new vessel bearing the Directors; and Isa Inuwa, then Officer of NLNG, said, “As we name of Nigeria's capital city is Deputy Managing Director, take possession of this great a sign of that confidence and NLNG, among others.

6 NLNG, CORA host 11 shortlisted authors By Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku and Emeka Agbayi shortlist who attended the event include a past contender for the prize, Elnathan John, author of Born On A Tuesday; Aramide Segun, winner of an Association of Nigerian Authors Prose Prize and author of Eniitan; Maryam Awaisu, radio presenter and author of Burning Bright; Yejide Kilanko, poet and author of Daughters Who Walk This Path; Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, radio broadcaster and author of On the Bank of the River; Ifeoma Okoye, bestselling author of Men Without Ears and Behind the Cloud who is on the shortlist with her latest novel, The Fourth World; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, seasoned journalist and author of Season of Crimson Blossoms; and Mansim Chumah Okafor, author of two previous books of fiction and who is on the list with his latest, The Parable of the Lost Shepherds. igeria LNG Limited This will be the first public N(NLNG) and the gathering of the writers on the Other authors on the shortlists Committee for Relevant Arts shortlist recently released by the include Chika Unigwe, winner (CORA) recently held a book panel of judges led by Prof. of The Nigeria Prize for party in honour of the 11 Dan Izevbaye, well-respected Literature 2012, judge for the authors shortlisted for the 2016 literary critic and a professor of 2017 Manbooker Prize and The Nigeria Prize for Literature. English Literature. Other judges author of Night Dancer; include Professor Asabe Usman Ogochukwu Promise, author of The book party, which held in Kabir and Professor Isidore over fifteen novels, founder of Lagos, featured the authors who Diala, first winner of The Wole Soyinka Prize for participated in person or via Nigeria Prize for Literary Literature in Africa and two-time Skype, readings from their Criticism. contender for The Nigeria Prize books and a question and for Literature who is on the list answer session. Among the authors on the with Sorrow's Joy; and Sefi

7 The NLNG/CORA Book Party, as the event is tagged, brings together many writers, actors, visual artists and book lovers under one roof and features music and other side attractions.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly among four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children's literature and comes with a cash award of $100, 000.

Atta, author of the widely According to the Secretary- popular Everything Good Will General of CORA, Toyin Come now shortlisted for her Akinosho, “We at CORA have latest, A Bit of Difference. always felt that books that make it to this level in such a major In his welcome remarks, the award system as The Nigeria General Manager of External Prize for Literature ought to be Relations at NLNG, Dr. Kudo known in every community in Eresia-Eke, said, “The books on the country. Our ambition is to this shortlist depict that hard help that happen; to extend the work and nothing short of the star attraction of the award pursuit of excellence drove the winner beyond the Gala Night writing of books. This makes the of the award. We have always competition exciting and less maintained that the award is an predictable. One thing which opportunity for a series of will not change, however, is our events to really make books quest for excellence. I state it look cool; series of book here without doubt, that NLNG readings and discussions in as remains committed to this many crannies of the country as principle.” possible as well as TV discussions and radio shows.” He added, “At NLNG, excellence is one of our core The 11 entries were selected values, together with Teamwork, out of a total entry of 173 for Integrity and Caring, which we this year's competition which owe our success to. We believe focuses on Prose Fiction. The that we have a lot of potentials final verdict on the winning which make us world class and entry is expected to be able to compete with the best announced in October by around the world. That is what NLNG, in commemoration of we intend to do with writers in the company's first LNG export Nigeria through The Nigeria in 1999. Prize for Literature.”

8 NLNG, Warsash partner on maritime training and safety

By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi

Warsash officials with NLNG's delegates including NLNG's then in-coming executive management team, Attah and Mai-Bornu (first row, second and first right respectively) Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) operations records and “NLNG's current goal is to has commissioned a manned achievements.” sustain growth and build upon model of its new Dual Fuel it, safely. And that is precisely Diesel Electric (DFDE) vessels at The manned model will join why we are here today. Southampton Solent University's other models used by Warsash Warsash Maritime Academy, Maritime Academy, a world “The partnership will also United Kingdom, to contribute leading marine technology and deliver the highest quality ship to the training and development training academy, to provide handling training for NLNG of mariners globally. training, consultancy and fleet officers and authorized research to NLNG and help third-party personnel. This is in At the commissioning ceremony develop mariners in the art of addition to specialized in Southampton, the then handling a ship. The models are consultancy services required Managing Director and Chief tools for simulation and are built for the planned NLNG Marine Executive of NLNG, Babs to the correct power to weight Resource Centre at Bonny Omotowa, said the introduction ratio as its full sized Island. of the manned model was “a counterpart. deliberate strategy to upscale In his response, Dr Syamantak NLNG's world-class safety and According to Omotowa, Bhattacharya, Director of

9 Southampton Solent University's Nigeria LNG's latest investment Southampton Solent University, School of Maritime Science and represents a significant addition has provided first-class Engineering, said, “This most to our fleet. We look forward to education, training, consultancy recent addition to the fleet welcoming Nigeria LNG's and research services to the demonstrates the importance officers to our Ship Handling international shipping, placed on this type of training Centre at Timsbury Lake.” commercial yacht, and offshore by the shipping industry. Our oil and gas industries for 70 Ship Handling Centre is Warsash Maritime Academy, years. internationally renowned and the commercial maritime arm of

prizes in Africa, The Nigeria NLNG reveals Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature secret of its which come with cash prize of $100,000 each; the $12 CSR success million University Support Programme through which it is By Elkanah Chawai and implementing the construction Emeka Agbayi and equipping of engineering laboratories in six Nigerian Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, NLNG's universities drawn from the General Manager, External country's geo political zones, to Relations, has revealed that the mention a few. Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke main secret of the company's CSR success was its commitment The General Manager also Management Company Limited to being a trusted partner with paid glowing tributes to (KEMCO). all its stakeholders for the NLNG's host communities for sustainable development of their support and cooperation Nigeria-South Korea trade and Nigeria and its host in providing the conducive bilateral relationship have communities. environment for the company to continued to grow since the do business, and actualize its formal establishment of ties in Dr. Eresia-Eke made this CSR initiatives. 1980. Today, the volume of revelation in a presentation on trade between both countries NLNG's model of corporate The Korean Ambassador to has risen to over $4 billion, social responsibility (CSR) Nigeria, His Excellency, Noh while Nigeria has also become which he recently made to Kyu-duk, who led the delegation South Korea's 52nd largest South Korea's Business of top Korean diplomats and export market and its 30th Community in Nigeria at the senior executives of the major biggest source of imports. Only invitation of the Embassy of Korean companies in Nigeria recently, Nigeria LNG acquired South Korea in Nigeria. commended the CSR work of six new build Dual Fuel Diesel the company and thanked the Electric vessels from South Dr. Eresia-Eke illustrated his company for honouring its Korea's Samsung Heavy presentation with some of invitation. Korean companies Industries (SHI) and Hyundai NlNG’s programmes including represented at the presentation Heavy Industries (HHI) at a cost sponsorship of the most included Samsung, Daewoo, of $1.6billion. prestigious literary and science Hyundai, and Korean Energy

10 Minister of State for Petroleum, Kachikwu, pledges government’s support for NLNG

By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi

who was the chairman of the “Whilst the Executive has event, has been the Managing demonstrated full commitment to Director for NLNG for some five the need to keep the sanctity of the years and handed over to Tony NLNG Act, the attempt by the Attah on September 1, 2016. Legislature to amend the clear promises made to investors will Omotowa further noted that cost the country quite a lot. Apart NLNG, through its expansion from the relocation of investments growth programme which involves in excess of $25billion to other the expansion of production countries, Nigeria will also be capacity of the LNG plant in opened to fines running into Bonny, Rivers State with a Train 7 billions of dollars in International and 8, could attract $25 billion, Courts for reneging on create 30,000 construction jobs, agreements. Such incentives in the Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu Minister of State for Petroleum help to further reduce gas flaring, NLNG Act are normal in the LNG and generate over $1billion to $2 world including in Qatar, Oman, The Minister of State for Petroleum, billion additional revenue to the Malaysia, Angola, etc. Even in Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in his country in taxes and dividend. Nigeria, more generous incentives keynote address at the recently are contained in legislation such as held National Association of According to Omotowa, “In a the Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone Act. Energy Correspondents (NAEC) period of huge youth Annual Conference assured that unemployment and need for more This period of low oil price is not a the Federal Government was in revenue, this should really be a time to jeopardize Nigeria's long solidarity with NLNG on ensuring cause we should have all hands on term interests by showing Nigeria that Nigeria's contractual deck for especially as NLNG has as a place not to be trusted, and agreements are honoured. He demonstrated its pedigree having projecting our business added that reforms in the industry attracted $15billion in foreign environment as unconducive,” can't be done on the altar of investment, grown from a 2 Train to Omotowa added. investments, instead collaboration, a 6 Train plant, contributed to creativity and reality should be reducing gas flaring from 65% to Others at the event include Minister applied. below 20%, delivered $33billion of Power, Works and Housing, to Nigeria from a $2.5billion Babatunde Fashola; former Also at the Conference, the then investment. Minister of Power, Professor Barth Managing Director and Chief Nnaji and top energy executives. Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG “This potential $25billion in Limited, Babs Omotowa, noted that investment, creation of 30,000 The National Association of Energy any tinkering with the Nigeria LNG jobs, reduced gas flaring, etc is Correspondents (NAEC) (NLNG) Act of 2004 would violate being put in jeopardy by attempts conference serves as a platform for bilateral agreements with to renege on promises that Nigeria interaction between industry international investors as well as gave to foreign investors that leaders and the media. The cost the country a huge $25 billion enabled the historical $15billion conference focuses on key issues in in foreign direct investment (FDI) investment historically attracted," the Nigerian oil and gas industry and fines running in billions at the he said. and synergizes stakeholders on international courts. Omotowa, finding long lasting solutions.

11 NLNG wins first SAP Quality Award in West Africa By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi

Adaora Olomu with SAP officials in Johannesburg Nigeria LNG Limited recently recognizes customers who use Manager of External Relations won the first SAP Quality SAP's ten quality principles to noted that “winning the award Award in Business effectively plan, execute and will generally improve Nigeria Transformation in Africa manage their implementations LNG's recognition within the awarded to any company in to deliver significant business SAP Ecosystem and bring about Nigeria. NLNG was selected as benefits to their organization. opportunities for collaboration an Excellence Winner for its with other industry leading recent implementation of the Nigeria LNG Limited is the first organisations as NLLNG drives SAP software in all its locations company in Nigeria and West for excellence in Business across the world. Africa to win SAP Quality Process Efficiency and Cost Award and the first African Leadership”. The SAP Quality Awards company outside South Africa celebrate customers who have to be recognised in the Business The award was presented at an excelled in the implementation Transformation Category. event held in Johannesburg, of their SAP software solutions. South Africa. Responding to the award, Kudo This prestigious award also Eresia-Eke, NLNG's General

12 NLNG is Gas Company of the year

Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, NLNG's General Manager of External Relations shows appreciation with a firm handshake

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Limited, stated that “NLNG won of the Managing Director and recently won the Gas Company in the Gas Company of the Year Chief Executive Officer of of the Year award at the 2016 category because of its role in NLNG, the General Manager, BusinessDay Oil and Gas harnessing Nigeria's gas External Relations, Dr. Kudo Innovation awards. The award resources to produce liquefied Eresia-Eke, expressed the was based on recognition of the natural gas which resulted in company's delight at the company's pivotal role in generated revenue of about award. “We believe in reducing gas flares; complying $85 billion in the last 15 years; standards and in excellence. fully with tax laws; and tax compliance which translated Our resolve for excellence impacting on the lives of to the payment of $1.6 billion; reflects in our business and Nigerians through its Corporate payment of $30 billion in interaction with our Social Responsibility (CSR). dividends to its shareholders; stakeholders, our operations, and the company's 2016 CSR our CSR projects and in fulfilling At a ceremony in Lagos, projects, among others.” our vision of helping to build a BusinessDay newspaper, in better Nigeria,” he added. conjunction with Oval Energy Receiving the award on behalf

13 NLNG gets CSR Excellence award By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi the Abuja Chamber of Commerce. We stand on the values of Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence and Caring. It is great to see that these values have worked for us in our behaviour and interaction with our stakeholders, our operations, our CSR projects and in fulfilling our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria. On the other hand, our success and award will inspire other companies to emulate us and even do it better than we have done.”

NLNG's University Support NLNG wins; Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke proudly displays the plaque for his company's CSR Excellence Award Programme (USP) is a Abuja Chamber of Commerce The ACCI and Industry (ACCI) at a recent President further ceremony in Abuja rewarded said that NLNG Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) was selected for for the outstanding impact of its the Excellence $12million pan-Nigeria Award after an University Support Programme extensive research (USP) with its Excellence Award and a for CSR. comprehensive analysis by a At the ceremony, ACCI professional team President, Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, of business said: “Neither integrity nor intelligence Dr. Eresia-Eke with some of NLNG's members of staff excellence was compromised in experts. $12million project approved by choosing Nigeria LNG Limited. the Board of NLNG to support Your work and actions were Receiving the award on behalf the development of research judged fairly and you were of the Managing Director and and scholarship in the country chosen with nothing but the Chief Executive Officer of by building and equipping principles of excellence and NLNG, the General Manager engineering/technical integrity. Your organisation for External Relations, Kudo laboratories in six universities gives us a lot of hope for the Eresia-Eke, said: “We are very drawn from Nigeria's geo- future of our nation.” pleased to receive the political zones. Excellence Award for CSR from

14 Bonny Vocational Centre acquires more equipment By Elkanah Chawai and Emeka Agbayi

Students of Bonny Vocational Centre, officials of Samsung Heavy Industries, Bonny community leaders and NLNG officials including Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, GM External Relations (4th from left) and Capt. Temi Okesanjo, GM Shipping (2nd from left) in a group photograph

NLNG-funded Bonny Vocational commissioned in 2014 to welding, using some of the best Centre (BVC) recently acquired implement the training technology available. more equipment from Samsung programme. Heavy Industries (SHI). The In his remarks, Captain Temi acquisition occurred as SHI During the Samsung Training Okesanjo, General Manager of closed its Samsung Training School closing out and hand- NLNG's Shipping Division, School in Bonny after training over ceremony in Bonny, added that an important over 400 Nigerians and, NLNG's Deputy Managing milestone was made in Bonny subsequently, handed over its Director, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, with the graduation of the last equipment to BVC. said, “As at last count, more batch of trainees of the than 700 young Nigerians Samsung Heavy Industry In 2013, a contract between many of them from Rivers State training programme and the Samsung Heavy Industries, and the Niger Delta, have handover of the equipment used Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) benefitted from skills in various during the programme to Bonny and BGT (a subsidiary of areas of shipbuilding. We Vocational Centre. NLNG) was signed to build six strongly believe that the new vessels at the cost of Nigerian maritime industry will US$1.6billion. Included in the be the better off for it”. contract was a Nigerian Content element which, among Mai-Bornu noted that with the other things, secured the donation of the new equipment training of Nigerians in ship by Samsung, BVC was now building and repairs. The better equipped than previously training school was to offer training in basic

15 16 We earned $40 billion with no cent missing - Babs Omotowa

Many years hence, not a few people will remember Babs Omotowa as the man with incredible energy and drive. Many within the company and outside have had the experience of sending a mail to him and receiving prompt, clear and instantaneous response from him. Many have sent tomes to him and he comes back grilling them on the finer details. Such is the man, his zeal for work, his tirelessness, his passion for excellence. Qualities he put to work in his time at Nigeria LNG Limited. Without a doubt, NLNG was a very successful company when Omotowa arrived. He is leaving it even more successful.

Between December 2011 when he was seconded to NLNG from Shell, and August 2016 when he was redeployed, NLNG has witnessed incredible transformations. The company earned some $40 billion and became Nigeria's number one home-grown company. Plant reliability has stood at near perfect 96 per cent and the company achieved a record of four years without fatality.

In the years he spent in NLNG, Omotowa built six new LNG carriers; four by Samsung Heavy Industries and two by Hyundai Heavy Industries. Omotowa secured quite some juicy deals as part of the Nigerian Content scheme attached to that ship construction. He got the South Koreans to train 600 Nigerians in ship design and construction in Korea and Nigeria; use Nigerian goods and services in building the ships; use qualified Nigerians as part of the workforce for the ship construction; and facilitated the establishment of a ship repair yard in Nigeria. Berger Paints Nigeria PLC, Metec West Africa, Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria Limited and Nexans Kabelmetal Limited are among the companies that exported about $10 million worth of goods and services to Korea for the ship building.

Omotowa-led NLNG has led the way in corporate social responsibility at the national and community levels. NLNG's University Support Programme (USP) remains an exemplar of private sector partnership with public educational institutions to effect positive changes. Universities in the six geo-political zones benefitted from the $12 million USP ($2 million per university) for constructing and equipping of world-class laboratories. At the community level, NLNG enjoyed unparalleled peace in its host and pipeline communities. The paradigm shift in NLNG's relationship with its host Bonny Kingdom promises to be wholly transformational. In a move to community-led development entrenched in a recently signed MOU, Bonny will get N3.6 billion annually from NLNG and Shell to drive the 25-year new Bonny Master Plan aimed at making Bonny Nigeria's Singapore or Dubai.

In this interview which he granted Tony Okonedo and Emeka Agbayi, Omotowa discusses these achievements and gives insights into what made them possible. You are sure to find it enlightening.

We understand that this is not listed on the New York or retirement. Nonetheless, this is London stock exchange. We a good time to ask you to bought six new ships for our reflect on your work life so far. subsidiary company, Bonny For instance, what are the most Gas Transport, and through that challenging and exciting things process trained 600 Nigerians, you have achieved in your enabled more than $10 million career and at NLNG and what worth of goods to be exported are your goals for the future at to Korea and also facilitated the this time? building of a dry dock in Nigeria. Inspiration to society: I will say two main things - we made tremendous progress providing ethical leadership on the University Support and serving as an inspiration to Program (USP) which has the country, to the society and companies and run them enabled the engineering to staff in the organization. In properly and compete with laboratories in six universities terms of inspiration to the other companies elsewhere in across the country to be country, we have been able to the globe. Today, NLNG can modernised. In Bonny, we have show clearly that Nigerians are be classified as one of the been able to deliver a 25-year able to run world class FTSE500 companies, if we are Marshal Plan to see how we

17 dollars within the time that I was at the helm of affairs and NLNG has now been accounted for every cent. No ranked as the number single dollar is missing. We one home-grown have had no issues with company in the country. contracting. We have no issues We were able to with employment because, as a generate $40 billion during my time; paid leader, I have been able to $22 billion to Nigeria show that you don't have to do and $12 billion to our anything unethical despite the shareholders. pressures you get from across the country. So, for me those are the two exciting things: being an inspiration and providing ethical leadership. I had three objectives at that can make Bonny a Singapore time. One was to ensure that or a Dubai. In terms of Certainly, people within and we continued to make NLNG a inspiration to staff, we have outside NLNG are curious as to success story; second was to shown that with hard work, with what Babs Omotowa will do move NLNG to the next level; dedication, focus and integrity, next. Are you able to discuss the third was to be an you can achieve success and that with us? inspiration to the country. In you can progress well in your terms of maintaining NLNG as career. So it's been quite an My next job is at Shell, my a success story, NLNG has now exciting time for me. parent company, where I have been ranked as the number one been assigned a role in the home-grown company in the And because you asked about global upstream leadership country. That in itself says a lot. my working life, I will talk about team as a vice president, so I We were able to generate $40 inspiration even in previous will be providing global billion during my time; paid roles. While in Shell we were leadership on safety and $22 billion to Nigeria and $12 able to grow a local aviation environment across about billion to our shareholders. In (helicopter) company in twenty countries including the period, we were able to Nigeria. We supported the Nigeria, Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, keep plant reliability at over 96 company with $100 million Iraq, UK, Holland, Brunei, and per cent. We were able to financing which helped it to Oman. I will sit on the global achieve four years without acquire modern helicopters and upstream leadership team fatality for a company that used that company today provides reporting to the Shell Upstream to have two fatalities every helicopter services not only in director. year. We ended 2015 without Nigeria but in other African any lost time injury. So, across countries. And that's again Upon assumption of duty as the board we have been able to something that I am excited NLNG MD, the in-house maintain that success story that I about. communication team held an met. interview with you which was The second part, as I said, is later entitled,'What Will Babs Second objective was to move about ethical leadership which Do?' Now that you are moving the company to the next level, is that irrespective of the on, we ask, 'What did Babs mainly growth. We've worked position you hold in Nigeria Do?' In other words, what are hard on Train 7. We were able you don't have to do unethical some of your most significant to bring out Train 7 from the things. This is a company where achievements or milestones keep-warm-phase that it was in we earned over 40 billion here? when I came to pre-FID

18 activities phase. We were able being a global president of an every work I have done I have to grow shipping capacity, by institute. I guess it comes from always looked out for three adding six new modern and some of the values that I have things. One is to make sure I bigger ships to the fleet. held onto, values like integrity, deliver on the critical key performance indicators. Two is I think we have done quite a lot to make sure that I improve and with regard to the third take that business to the next objective of serving as an level. Three, of course, is to inspiration to the country. We build relationships and work to have demonstrated very clearly motivate and inspire others and that this successful model is one I think that contributed. that needs to be replicated. Many people across the country When you arrived here, you now talk about NLNG, and by began to talk about headwinds the work we did in the and it did not take long before society—be it the work we did those headwinds emerged and in Bonny with the new MOU we everybody saw what you were signed, be it the Nigerian talking about. At the moment, content dividends that accrued we know you have put in from the acquisition of six new motion strategic plans and The headwinds as we ships, be it the University processes to mitigate their described it in 2012 was Support Scheme across the effects and ensure that NLNG a challenge that NLNG country, be it the sustained was going to face remains a profitable successes we have achieved, because at that time it organisation. Could you reflect and so on—I think we have was very clear, when on some of these with us? shown very clearly that this you look at the definitely is a company that can dislocations in the LNG The headwinds as we described inspire the country. industry, that it in 2012 was a challenge that competition was going NLNG was going to face You have done a tour of duty as to come and we were because at that time it was very the Managing Director of going to face a different clear, when you look at the Nigeria LNG Limited, one of world from the one we dislocations in the LNG were used to. Nigeria's leading companies. industry, that competition was In your time at NLNG, you were going to come and we were also the International President going to face a different world of Chartered Institute of hard work, excellence and from the one we were used to. Purchasing and Supply, now drive. In my appointment by the We, therefore, put in place a Chartered Institute of Global Institute of Procurement transformation improvement Procurement and Supply. What and Supply it was highlighted project—Project TIM—which would you say accounts for this that the appointment was also had three legs. First leg was on trajectory, your movement into because I could inspire and strategic issues, second leg was that high profile space? What's motivate younger generations, on systemic issues (culture and equipped you to do that the and inspire other members as leadership) and the third leg way you have done and what well, to especially see that you was on structures. were your drivers originally? could aspire to the very top of an organisation irrespective of With regard to structures, we It is always difficult to totally your background. So, I think it were able to make the understand why you are comes down to the values and organization to work as one appointed into positions like also to one's achievements. In company. Previously we had a

19 markets—even during these business through these turbulent difficult times. We have looked times. Against that background, at what to do in the domestic there's some concern about LPG market. We have also NLNG having a seamless looked at our assets. handover and continuity. What Rejuvenation work is ongoing at have you said to your successor the plant. We are also working to help achieve this seamless at pipeline robustness so that transition? What do you think we can improve our gas supply your successor needs to do at into the future. We are looking this time? into our finance with the aim of driving cost down while deriving more value for our I think it is always spend. We have put in place a important that we allow lot of divergence and programme to drive cost our successors to chart inefficiencies in the leadership. We brought in their own course. It will organization, but today we are KPMG to help us and also setup be a bit unfair to start to one company; functional an internal team and now we're dictate to him about excellence has also been driving down our costs what he should do or not do. But if I had any brought into the organization because, as the market tightens advice it will be that he and we now operate more as and prices come down, the two should work towards the one entity. With regard to the things we can control are our vision of the company systemic issues, we have been own costs and the operational which is to be a global able to drive a Culture efficiencies within the company helping to Alignment Journey where we organization. Therefore, across build a better Nigeria. have now implemented the Ten about seven work streams: NLNG Behaviours and we have marketing, production, finance, also been able to spend time to people, stakeholders, and so develop leadership across the on, we have been able to put in I think it is always important organization. strategies that will help the that we allow our successors to organization through difficult chart their own course. It will be times and we are already a bit unfair to start to dictate to … across about seven seeing the dividends of those him about what he should do or work streams: programmes. As at today, the not do. But if I had any advice marketing, production, revenue of the company has it will be that he should work finance, people, come down significantly, but towards the vision of the stakeholders, and so on, we have been able to maintain company which is to be a we have been able to the returns, in terms of net global company helping to put in strategies that will income after tax, that we build a better Nigeria. As long help the organization promised in the business plan as he is working towards that through difficult times despite our revenue being vision and the objectives of the … behind in the business plan. company then I have no doubt in my mind that he will do right. You talked about your Of course, growth will be With regard to the strategic, we inspirational approach to important; so Train 7 should have been able to look at business and to personal continue to be progressed, or several aspects of the company management. You also talked opportunities to debottleneck beginning with marketing - how about the headwinds and the the plant and achieve more to find new and niche challenges of managing a volumes out of that. I also think

20 that the work on gas supply procurement costs had shot up robustness is very important The recent arms-gate and wiped out the effect of the and plant rejuvenation, too, scandal in Nigeria is a higher revenue. because the plant has to good example of what continue to produce efficiently. can happen when We have seen so many And, as every leader knows, he procurement is poorly countries in the world—the UK, also needs to focus on people managed. We, the US—being able to set up therefore, need to because at the end of the day central offices for procurement ensure, as a country, the greatest assets are the similar to what we have at the even as an industry, that people—how we lead, how we Bureau of Public Procurement in we have robust Nigeria and they have been coach, how we mentor, how we processes and able to use that as an develop, and how we make procedures, good instrument to deliver a lot of sure that leadership in the governance systems, as value for their country. I think company at all levels are able well as competent we still have a lot of work to do to inspire the staff. These will be people to run as a country in that area. Public areas that I am certain he will procurement. procurement is an area where look into. we can do a lot, as I said for two reasons, one to get value In your CIPS valedictory that makes a big difference not out of the money we are speech—a rousing speech we only in terms of the spend spending, and two to make sure must say— you reminded fellow itself—getting more value for that those projects are executed members of the institute of the the money—but actually properly so that the values to be derived through delivering the infrastructure, infrastructures are in place and efficient practice and delivering the facilities, that will people can make use of them. observation of the guiding help the country or the The same thing is applicable in ethics of the profession. What organization to progress. the oil and gas industry. As I future do you see for said in the speech you procurement and supply in The recent arms-gate scandal in mentioned, we need to raise the Nigeria, especially in the oils Nigeria is a good example of game and raise the voice of the and gas industry? How can what can happen when profession. Raise the game in Nigeria take advantage of what procurement is poorly terms of the value that we add, the profession offers to check managed. We, therefore, need in terms of what we can bring corruption, maximize profit and to ensure, as a country, even as to the table. Raise the voice to ensure national development? an industry, that we have robust make sure that those who are in processes and procedures, authority understand what those In the country, the oil and gas good governance systems, as values can be and they can industry or indeed any well as competent people to run utilize them properly. So, there organisation, once you remove procurement. We have also is still quite a lot of work to the overheads you will find that seen in the oil and gas industry do—but if anything, I think, the arms-gate scandal reminds us of majority of the spend—70 to that during the period that oil why we need proper 80 per cent—usually will have prices rose to as high as $100 procurement in the country. to be done through per barrel, the cost of projects procurement, be it projects or grew by more than 500 per Looking at your time here, is equipment that has to be cent, which then meant that there anything you would have bought. Procurement and even though oil prices and done differently given the contracting play a key role in revenues were very high, opportunity? the expenses of the country and companies were not more organizations, and how you do profitable than they were when You can always look back and oil prices were low, because

21 you can do things better with previous administration, a government which had hindsight. But, I think there is Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the previously espoused the rule of nothing like regrets. We did our funding of the upstream and law. We took some lessons from best. One thing I would say I even the current low oil prices - that but who would have ever wish we had made more had not allowed us to move as thought that a government progress on is Train 7. Train 7 is fast as we could. If there was agency would so obstruct a very important to the company, something we could have venture in which the same or debottlenecking of the moved a lot faster with, it would government owned majority existing plant, because with be Train 7. Apart from that, as I shares? increased volumes we will be said, in everything I could look able to counteract the effect of back and say we could have How would you want to be lower prices. We can get that done things a bit differently, but remembered? from Train 7 and we can also I think we did it the best way get a lot of that from we could at that time and I I would like to be remembered debottlenecking the existing don't think I would have as a simple person who did his plant. We put in quite some changed anything. NIMASA best for the company, who put effort, but a lot of factors was a sad experience for the in his best efforts, and did outside the control of the corporate world in Nigeria everything in the best interest of company - like the politics of the where illegality was allowed by the company and never for his personal interest.

22 Stakeholder Engagement

As part of efforts to keep Nigeria informed about the company's business and forge mutual relations, the management of Nigeria LNG Limited recently visited some of its key stakeholders. Led by the then outgoing MD/CEO, Babs Omotowa, the team seized the opportunity to introduce its incoming MD/CEO, Tony Attah, The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Some members of NLNG's Board and Executive Management paid a courtesy Senate President, Bukola Saraki, flanked by outgoing MD/CEO (R), call on the President of the Federal Republic, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Babs Omotowa, and incoming MD, Tony Attah, and some key legislators during the team's visit at the National Assembly

NLNG team with Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru and NLNG Team with Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, NNPC top executives at the corporation's headquarters Dr. Okey Enelamah, at the Minister's office

NLNG team with Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, NLNG team in a chat with Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi at the Ministry of Environment

23 24 Today's situation demands that we think and do things differently - Tony Attah

Tony Attah is the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Vice President of Bonny Gas Transport, one of NLNG's subsidiaries.

Attah comes to this position with over 25 years' experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior to this appointment, he was the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria E & P Company (SNEPCo), Vice President HSE and Corporate Affairs, and Vice President Human Resources (HR). He has also functioned in other technical and non-technical roles in Operations and Major Projects including Headship of Joint Venture Economics in the commercial function of Shell Nigeria.

His distinguished career has taken him to key assignments across Europe (Russia, Netherlands, etc.) and Africa; he has led multi- disciplinary teams across diverse cultures. He is renowned for his strong strategic and commercial mind-set which is underpinned by a solid technical background and excellent crisis management and leadership capabilities.

Attah holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Benin. He is a member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Tony plays to win, driven by the philosophy that if anything is worth doing at all, then it is worth doing well. His personal core values are integrity, humility, excellence and respect for people; these manifest in his focus on people and safely delivering business value to stakeholders.

Tony Okonedo and Emeka Agbayi sat down with him to discuss his goals in NLNG, since he is coming to lead a very successful company in a time of immense challenges. You are sure to find his answers inspiring and uplifting in equal measures.

You have very broad dire situation given the realities experience. You are an that were happening onshore. engineer. You've been Vice SNEPCo was almost a lifeline to President HSE, and Vice the entire Shell business in President Human Resources and Nigeria; being offshore and Corporate Affairs at Shell. From definitely away from some of this background, what in your the vagaries that were view are the most critical skills happening onshore. So, it was you bring to this new job? an opportunity to be part of what kept the company afloat. It I have been very privileged in was quite important in terms of my career, as you said, to have what we needed to do because experience in HSE, production, at that time the company was engineering, corporate already about 10 years old and planning, economics, HR and, We will like to talk about your we were beginning to see quite until recently, integrated gas time at SNEPCo. What are a few things around asset within Shell. For me, I see it as some of your more significant integrity and it was also a time an opportunity in terms of being achievements or undertakings? when the market was at its able to assemble and bring all peak- almost $100 per barrel- the experiences over the last 25 SNEPCo, for me, is a very dear so I was opportuned to lead years to bear in one business subject for two reasons. One, SNEPCo at one of the best but more importantly to build on for the timing. I arrived at times because we were able to everything that has been SNEPCo when the whole go back to our glory days of achieved to date within NLNG. onshore business was in a very producing more than 200,000

25 barrels a day at the peak of the It is a major privilege and I will quite seriously and hold dear to market. have to say that most times my heart. people don't get the opportunity For me, that is a major to move from one successful contribution, but, more company to another. You either The learning agenda importantly, it also coincided find yourself going from one strategy is very critical to with the time that the company successful company to one that me because I need to at the global level was is not so successful or going understand what makes restructuring and reorganizing. from a less successful company a difference here; what So, we took advantage of this to an already successful one. I makes the company so to actually reshape ourselves feel very lucky, and, as I said to successful; how can we into a better integrated my colleagues this morning, I make it even more successful, but, more company as against being a am very proud and happy to be importantly, how can we functionally structured company. a member of this team. I see get the people to line In a way, therefore, the NLNG as a winning team and up behind the company itself came through a in my mind it is clear that one company's vision and project phase and transited into moving to the next level. operations, needing progress beyond the extant project mind- set that still lingered. So we had to do the needful to get Taking off from that last everybody focused on the one question, we wonder what can key thing that mattered which possibly be a new challenge was the company itself and, here. from a delivery standpoint, it was Safety Goal Zero which is The world is full of challenges. really caring for people beyond Every day, for me, is a learning just talking about it and also thing I should do is to borrow opportunity. The starting point ensuring that the business from Tony Blair who was asked as the business leader in NLNG survives. We tried to focus a similar question in his early is a learning agenda because, everyone's efforts with the “ALL days as prime Minister and he as the saying goes, what made FOR THE DRIVER” Formula 1 said you will need to “Listen, you succeed on the other side race mind-set and this helped Learn and only then can you may not make you succeed drive full integration which lead”! I intend to follow through here. In leadership parlance, culminated in being able to with that coaching and then “what got you here may not get steadily produce above bring in some of the things that you there”. So you have to be 200,000 barrels per day and have worked elsewhere to mindful not to assume that this ensuring that all the people who complement all the good things is another SNEPCo, that this is work for us went back home that have made NLNG a major the same business, or bring the safely every day! These are success and try to build on them 'one-cap-fits-all' mentality. The some of the key things we to move the company to the learning agenda strategy is achieved together in SNEPCo. next level; bottom line, we will very critical to me because I need to adapt as we go along need to understand what makes You are moving from one because the current realities of a difference here; what makes successful company to another. today are different from some of the company so successful; how What are your reflections on the things that made us succeed can we make it even more this and what are the headliners in the past. But being able to successful, but, more in front of you as you make this come here and lead is a major importantly, how can we get transition? privilege and one which I take the people to line up behind the

26 itself is completely different. So, from me because I would rather the odds are different, but these engage with the people first to are our new realities. For me, it understand where they are with will be more around how do we respect to the company's vision adapt to the changes, how do and, as I mentioned earlier, the we reposition to win in the learning agenda is quite critical current realities of these to me. It is really to learn what's challenges we are going to face on people's minds, to learn and the ones we are facing how they see the business, how even now. Those are the kinds they see the company. Where of early thoughts at the back of would they like to see the … how do we adapt to my mind. But challenges? There company in another 10 years the changes, how do we will be many challenges I am and how does this align with reposition to win in the sure. One assurance I can give their personal vision? Are we current realities of these you, however, is that NLNG has all looking through the same challenges we are going the winning spirit and I believe lenses as a company or are we to face and the ones we we are going to win and misaligned in terms of the future are facing even now. surmount all these challenges as we see? That will be for me the Those are the kinds of they come. point of co-creation in terms of early thoughts at the where we go or where we take back of my mind. People are looking in your our company, but directionally I direction as the new Managing think people can very well rest Director and people are going assured that there won't be company's vision and moving to ask, 'what is going to many changes immediately to the next level. change; what is his because my predecessors management style; what do we already set in motion some of That is the real focus that I will expect from him?' Are you able the very key ingredients for have, but in terms of to provide answers to those at survival in this new current challenges, you are not going this time? realities of a flattening market to be short of those because we with an ageing asset and the are in a completely different current realities of Nigeria's phase in terms of the life of this I think people can very security situation. We need to business. As I mentioned at well rest assured that progress the transformation and another forum, we have seen there won't be many culture journey we are on; so glorious days when the market changes immediately you have to move things to their was great; the price was because my logical conclusion before you fantastic; gas supply was predecessors already set start to detour or change. in motion some of the excellent and the asset was very key ingredients for almost brand new. But, Therefore, you can expect that survival in this new seriously, the plant is ageing, current realities of a we will deepen things around 20 years down the line - if you flattening market with the culture journey; you can add the period of construction an ageing asset and the expect that we will focus or because you had put the current realities of even raise the focus on the equipment on the skids then Nigeria's security transformational agenda, and that's when the equipment situation. ensuring that cost optimisation went live, not the day you start and efficiency stay at the core producing. You have to factor of our survival strategy; you can that in. The market is down. The I cannot say much at this point expect that we will push for asset is ageing. The government about what is to be expected value; you can expect that we

27 your assessment on the As a person, I am a very Nigerian industry or on the open leader. I am free global scene, which in essence format; I am easily could be the micro versus the accessible, but I want macro. In the true sense of it, results like every leader; both spheres are experiencing I want performance; I really tough times just that the want value; I want Nigerian situation is overlaid people to be able to differentiate between with some other unique and activities and value; I intricate situations like the want the interests of the current security situation and company to be most issues with funding in the paramount in the minds upstream sector which we rely of everyone; I want on for gas supply. people to be able to progress to the point As a person, I am a very open Overall, the major driver in the where the phrase 'my leader. I am free format; I am oil and gas market would have company' is upper most easily accessible, but I want to be the market. All commodity on their minds. results like every leader; I want producer nations today are in performance; I want value; I trouble and that's really want people to be able to because of the market. I will focus on our people differentiate between activities remember having a because in my mind people and value; I want the interests conversation with Suri, one of make a difference, no company of the company to be most my Indian friends and he can exist without its people. I paramount in the minds of asked, 'How's Nigeria these strongly believe that people everyone; I want people to be days?' And I said, 'we are matter and people make a able to progress to the point struggling even though this is difference, so you can expect where the phrase 'my company' one of our biggest opportunities that there will be a lot of focus is upper most on their minds. If with a new government, a new on people but how all that will all of us can see NLNG in that and credible president who come together will be sense then I can guarantee you wants to achieve something, but something I expect the entire that we stand a better chance we do not have funds, and we company to be a key part of. of winning as one great do not have funds because the We will co-create where we go company and we will be even market is down.' Suri looked at together, so don't expect much greater for that. me and smiled. I said, 'I see in terms of immediate change in you're smiling, Suri,' and he directions today. From your vantage position of said, 'Of course, I feel a lot of an extensive experience in the sympathy for you, but to me this In terms of style, all leaders will industry, what are your thoughts is the best time for India'. And I adapt their style to the realities on Nigeria's oil and gas said, 'What do you mean by they face. Some fellows have industry? What changes would that?' He said, 'Because we are said to me, 'your colleague is a you like to see in the industry buyers! The oil I used to buy very strong leader' and I say, 'if and why? from you for $100 I could now the situation requires a leader buy for $40/$45, there could to be strong that is what you The oil and gas industry is not be a better time for my expect a leader to be'. But at going through a lot and you country.' A tale of two countries the moment I cannot tell you can approach the subject from you can say! what style will take us to the two sides. You can either base next level. So, in terms of the entire

28 industry you have to look at the winning you need the people at value chain and where you are the heart of whatever strategies in the value chain. Are you a The reality is that in 50 you are going to adopt. You producer or a consumer? years' time, we may not need people to understand the Producer nations are all in the be the energy source of current realities. You need same boat of suffering today. choice. So we have to people to have their hearts and This is a buyer's market and keep current and focus minds in the right places to you have to realise that. The on what is happening assure that we stay competitive. and find a way to be question of how do you adjust Remember, I used the phrase able to be a critical part to survive is for me at the heart 'my company'. If we can get of the emerging energy of a lot of things that have mix. people to that point where they already been put in place at see NLNG as 'my company' NLNG including the then they would be in a better transformational agenda, the situation to better contribute to cost drive, the optimisation, the all the things we say we need culture journey and all the have to keep current and focus to do to stay afloat and, more adjustments being made to on what is happening and find importantly, to be competitive. make NLNG competitive in the a way to be able to be a current realities. critical part of the emerging Since you insist, I can say my energy mix. The disruptions are immediate message for staff is Beyond the market, there are here and I think they will not go to thank them for all the good lots of disruptions coming. The away; we have to make works that have made NLNG environmental challenge is ourselves both relevant and great and to get then to start to around fossil fuel. You have competitive. think about how we can make disruptions coming from the company even greater in renewables. You have wind Very closely related to that, you the face of all the current now—that is gaining ground. are about to take over a realities we have been talking You have solar, gaining even company where the market is about and, in due course, I will more grounds. You have down, prices are weak, be meeting with them. I look batteries and other energy infrastructure is ageing and forward to open conversations there's a struggle with Train 7. storage technology disrupting and deep engagements for the People will be looking to you for heavily! Three weeks ago, I was good of our company. I look answers, key among them your in The Netherlands and I saw a workforce. What is your forward to co-creating the future whole street where half the cars message to them at this time? with staff. A lot of what should that were parked were all be done is already in place, as plugged into electricity It's difficult to have a single I say, but to raise it to the next charging points, charging for message at this point of my level you need to deepen some tomorrow's use. Those are cars transition into role as CEO of them more. Some may be that will not buy gas; those are before you engage with the painful but you have to weigh cars that will not buy oil. The people. But as I mentioned that against going into market is flattening and thinning earlier, people make a extinction which is a real risk to out. The reality is that in 50 difference. If we are going to any company in these climes. years' time, we may not be the win, it's going to be about our Bigger companies have energy source of choice. And people. If we are going to lose, disappeared in the past and the same comment could have it's still about our people. So, you do not want to be in that been made for coal or even the between those two boundaries, space. You therefore want to get Stone Age. As someone says, you can already see that for people in the right thinking Stone Age did not end because you to have a chance of space to understand that we we ran out of stones. So we need to survive. The situation

29 today demands that we think us about your family worth doing, then it has got to and do things differently and I background. be worth doing well. And I play am sure we will do what it to win—most times. You can takes. Family background is unique in ask: why play at all, if you are the sense that I was shaped by not playing to win? Let's get personal. What keeps multiple cultural backgrounds. I So, generally speaking, easy you awake at night? was born in Adamawa State, going, open style, fair minded Ungruore – Yola, which I visited but firm, but I have my limits in As a person I happen to sleep about five years ago just to terms of what I can tolerate. I very deeply, by the way. On a reconnect. I grew up through don't tolerate dishonesty. I don't serious note, as a business primary school level in Kaduna. tolerate lack of respect. I don't leader, I worry about the safety Went to secondary school in tolerate people who have no of my people. That is one key Azare, Bauchi State, and read integrity. I don't tolerate thing that keeps me awake. I for my first degree at the falsehood. You have to stand worry about how much they University of Ibadan. Second and believe in something. I understand the realities the degree was at University of believe that people deserve business is facing. I worry Benin. I worked in Sokoto. My respect, until they prove about the externalities that are national youth service (NYSC) otherwise. And I believe that not within my control, but that was in Maiduguri. I lived in people matter—all ways. Most could potentially be key success Warri for 10 years, in Port importantly, I believe that factors or mitigations. Harcourt for 10 years, and people make the difference in Generally speaking, Safety whatever that's left I spent in everything in life. Goal Zero and asset integrity Lagos from my early days. are key things that worry me That's why I can say it is a with a sense of chronic unease. unique upbringing growing in And when I say safety, I mean all these cultures and embracing personal safety and process the diversity therein. In a sense I safety. I have seen in the have diverse views of life and industry some unique situations of the country itself. As a matter where just because of one of fact, I used to pride myself in incident, not only do you have saying that there is no state in people working for you who do the country that I have not been not go back home but you to – all 36 states! And you can could lose the whole business. tell based on some of the facts I For me, the main vision and just gave. Those experiences dream is to have everybody shape you as a person. Where working for us, irrespective of I am from is not paramount on their position or level, go back my mind and I prefer to meet home safely every day. Those and treat people with equal are the key things that worry respect irrespective of their local me; otherwise, I sleep soundly. affiliations.

Talk to us about who you are in I am a very free minded person. private, what you do in your I try to understand what drives spare time. On the corridor this people's thinking. I drive for morning, people were value. I want outcomes, positive speculating that you must be outcomes. Generally, I want the from Benue State, Kogi State, best in whatever I am doing. Akwa Ibom and so on. Talk to My philosophy is that if it is

30 NLNG's amiable Deputy Audit, at NNPC. He has since One deputy Managing Director, Isa Inuwa, moved on to other duties at was recently replaced by NNPC. His replacement, Mai- another amiable gentleman, Bornu, came to NLNG from goes, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu. The two NNPC's subsidiary, Nigeria men were seconded to NLNG Production Development another by NNPC, their parent Company, NPDC, where he company. Before coming to was the Managing Director. NLNG, Isa Inuwa was Group Enjoy the welcome/send off in comes General Manager, Corporate pictures.

Isa Inuwa and wife showing off their gift

Some NLNG staff members present a parting gift to Isa Inuwa and wife

: Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief O. R. LongJohn, with Isa Inuwa and wife Isa Inuwa expressing his gratitude to NLNG's Board, management and staff

From one deputy to another: Isa Inuwa sharing some tips with Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, his successor as deputy managing director

31 32 Meet Mr. Discount, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu

Sadeeq Mai-Bornu is a man who quietly puts you at ease in his company. It may not be something he sets out to do deliberately. It rather suffuses his entire personality. Mai Bornu comes across as a simple, earthy, warm person. When we sat down with him for this interview, he was teasing and trading banter in local languages ranging from Igbo to Yoruba and Edo so much so that it felt like we were chatting with an elder brother who could be both sweet and stern.

In those brief moments before the interview began and through the interview itself, Mai-Bornu brought to the fore those people qualities and soft skills that stood him in good stead as he served for close to a decade (from 1996 to 2004) as Technical Assistant to five consecutive Group General Managers in Engineering & Technology Division of Nigerian National Development Corporation (NNPC)! In that position, Mai-Bornu was renowned for his exemplary leadership and drive to coordinate the departments within Engineering and Technology Division, manage the capital projects portfolio and develop the strategic plan which resulted in valuable contributions that aligned with management's aspirations for effective project delivery.

Prior to joining NNPC in 1987 as a Project Engineer, he began his working career in July 1985 at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) as an Engineer in the Real Estate Development Department, responsible for the construction of the 10,000 housing unit Steel Township.

He joined Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in 1987 where he started his career as a Project Engineer and served as member of many project teams such as NNPC Corporate Telecoms Network (CTN), PPMC Escravos Tank farm, and Butanisation project for the construction of nine LPG depots.

From 2005, when he became Deputy Manager, Cost Control Unit in the Technical Services Department, he has had a distinguishing management career as Manager in Process Engineering Department and General Manager, Joint Ventures in Renewable Energy Division (RED).

His last appointment before he joined Nigeria LNG Limited in April 2016 as Deputy Managing Director and Executive Director on the Board of the subsidiary, NLNG Ship Management Limited, was Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), a subsidiary of NNPC, where he was able to ramp up oil production from about 87,000 barrels per day (bopd) to a record 155, 000 bopd!

A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mai-Bornu has over 30 years' working experience most of which are in the oil and gas industry. He is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and has attended several management and leadership courses across the world.

Tony Okonedo and Emeka Agbayi sat down with him at NLNG's Abuja office for a brief chat. He discusses his days at NPDC, his vision for NLNG, and more. Enjoy it.

A good place for us to start is formation is to grow it into a with your last appointment at medium sized exploration and Nigerian Petroleum production company that may Development Company Limited, evolve eventually into a mini NPDC. Tell us about your time IOC if possible. I was at your most recent job as the appointed the MD sometime in Managing Director of NPDC - August 2015, and I was there what are your reflections on that just for six or seven months - time and the highlights of that until March 2016 when my tenure? appointment as the deputy managing director of Nigeria As you know, NPDC is the LNG Limited was announced. upstream arm of Nigerian Because of NLNG's internal National Petroleum Corporation processes, I couldn't come on (NNPC) and the major idea board until after the board behind the company's meeting in April.

33 NPDC as an upstream company otherwise there would have problems I met on ground. had a few challenges, mainly been a lot of industrial unrest. What I did was to setup an community issues and also There was a lot of distrust adhoc committee to go and issues of vandalism and attacks between the staff and the joint look into the issues of the on its assets. In the recent past venture (JV) partners that we invoices that were stuck, those we know that NPDC had been had (who were not the that have not even been in the news, albeit negative operators) and we had to processed, to see how we can news, because of issues of manage that. You have to take care of that problem. We strategic alliance and the understand the perspective of then had to by-pass the SAP Atlantic brouhaha that is now in the JV partners. They have process, and that was painful the public domain. The reason invested a lot of money—most for me as well because I am a for actually going for Strategic of it they borrowed from process person, but I was Alliance Agreement is basically banks—to sweat the assets and focused on what we needed to to finance NPDC operations for make profit because they are do to get production back up it to grow its assets which had business people, and that because the money needed to originally been divested from wasn't forthcoming. So we come in. It was a very Shell. There are about five such found ourselves with a lot of painstaking process. The divested land assets, in addition those challenges on how to get finance people were not happy to some other assets NPDC had returns on investment for both with my decision at the when it was set up at the JV partners and the beginning, but before the end beginning. These five assets government. of the year, we had gone far had partners that were inherited towards correcting things on the alongside the assets; the When I arrived in August 2015 SAP. partners came on board with the first problem I met on an understanding with the ground was with the community Another thing I want to add is previous administration that workers. The community that the Honourable they were going to take over as workers had not been paid their Minister/GMD also gave us a operators. That created a lot of allowances for almost five production target, and this was tension within the unions months and they actually in August 2015. When I took leading to some kind of strike stopped production. You can over, NPDC was doing close to where even the offices were imagine an asset that yields 90,000 barrels of oil a blocked including the NNPC close to 50/60,000 barrels a day(bopd), and the minister Towers here in Abuja. So the day, for example, stopping wanted us to achieve 191,000 issue of operatorship—who will work. If you look at cost of oil bopd by 14th of December, be operator— was one of the (30/40 dollars at the time), 2015, so it was like doubling problems that we had. that's substantial amount of the production in four months. money for somebody to stop So I set up a ” War Room” We realized that it was the you from working because you because the approach to doing intent of government at the haven't paid them, say, 500 to that is not just to talk to the beginning for NPDC to be the 600 million naira as back assets people. I had to set up a operator, to grow the capacities salaries. I thought the company war room with all sorts of of Nigerians and really be the needed to imbibe a commercial people in the room and every medium size exploration and mind-set, to say 'look, we are day we met about three times to production (E&P) company that producing the oil, so this money discuss: how are we, where are we all desire. However, that that looks big is only two or we on production, what do we was being challenged. I think three day's production'. The need to do, how do we that it was only with the advent community shut us down for optimise our wells, how do we of the new administration that a about three weeks and that was get the oil flowing, are there little bit of ease was arrived at, painful. That was one of the first pump issues, what are the

34 issues that we have? This people. When I got there I said operator when I own 55 per worked because by the 14th of to them that the people were cent?' But that can happen December we were able to our greatest assets. Whatever because operatorship is really a achieve 155,000 barrels a you have if the people are not business decision between day. That is a first for NPDC! To motivated to put in their best, to partners. Even though I own 55 the best of my knowledge it's lead and aspire to achieve per cent I can allow you to be never been done in the history objectives, you cannot do the operator, but that decision of NPDC. much. I tried my best to work on has to be taken in an the people in this regard along atmosphere of camaraderie, But of course the challenge is my own leadership style and I and that wasn't there. It was not hitting the target or setting a think that to a reasonable extent missing. That had a big impact; record, it is sustaining it. It was that worked. it was challenge. Christmas time and we still had issues with payment to In Nigeria, most people want to Now they are looking at the community workers. The see NPDC play a stronger role various models to drive the community said we had to do in the industry. What are the business for the JV partners to something for them for obstacles and how do we bring have more say, bring their Christmas. They eventually shut that vision to reality in your business acumen, to see how us down and production came view? we can turn every little thing down. Now what that meant for into money, especially if you us is that obviously it is not the look at the cost of production 191,000 the Minister asked for, per barrel. Cost of production but if we could do 155kbopd, per barrel has been very high then, yes, it can be done. That's and the two main culprits are what we were trying to look at community and security. It I in the New Year—to see how were to give you an example we can do that. We had without being too specific, take meetings with the JV Partners to a bottle of water, the cost of examine what the issues were; taking this bottle to the creeks is whether the issue was one of probably higher than the cost of operatorship, or asset the bottle itself. Then you have management team, it does not If we really want to be honest the Joint Task Force (JTF) there. If matter to me; I said, 'let us be and fair, the obstacle is the lack you do not feed them, if you do focused on sweating the assets; of operational autonomy. not give them power, you are let us make the money first then NPDC needs to be able to take not going to have security. That we can come back and see decisions quickly, fast and is a huge cost element and that what model we are going to unhindered, then they need to shoots up your cost of have'. We had a town hall have financial autonomy. So, production. If you are doing meeting some time in February they need to be able to raise $33 dollars a day to bring out 2016 with all the JVs and they their money, spend it, make a barrel and a barrel sells at were quite happy with that. The profit and declare dividends. So the international market for NLNG model was in we are talking about something $33, a typical business will say consideration, I must say. Then like the NLNG model. I am not going to produce, but in March I was asked to come Government owns 55 per cent government will say, 'produce', over to NLNG as the Deputy and the JVs 45 and that has and you are producing at a Managing Director. been the bone of contention. loss, so to say. So I think that The JVs want to be the financial independence is One final thing I need to operators, while government's important for you to have a mention about NPDC is the position is 'how can you be handle on your finances as well

35 contracts on ground. If there You keep on pushing to see were no existing contracts, then how much you can squeeze out you really have to look at the because at the end of the day cost element—how did you your profit is a function of both arrive at that cost? So, to those your turnover and your who come back with two per overhead. If you do not have a cent, three per cent, discount, I substantial share of the market, say that is not enough, go and then you have to reduce your get more discount. So they said overhead. If you have a handle MD means Mr. Discount not on both then you smile all the Managing Director and they way to the bank. So, for me started calling me Mr. Discount. coming from a cost control And when I became even more background helps, but it does as operational independence aggressive, they said now you not really change anything which comes down to decision are More Discount, no longer because I have always been a making, and that really comes cost champion anyway. back to a governance model. You keep on pushing to You made a reference to my You were a former Deputy see how much you can time in Renewable Energy Manager of Cost Control Unit of squeeze out because at Division (RED). I am an NNPC's Technical Services the end of the day your environmentalist and I am Department and you were also profit is a function of saying, among other things, GM Joint Ventures both your turnover and let's go paperless. To that (Renewables). How would your your overhead. If you do proposition I add the question, not have a substantial experience in those places tie in 'What is our carbon footprint?' share of the market, with NLNG's cost optimisation I am already talking with the then you have to reduce exercise at the present moment, your overhead. If you people at the plant about the in the face of a challenging have a handle on both greenhouse gas inventory operating environment? then you smile all the manual. Finally, I think that if way to the bank. So, for we embrace LPG as a fuel When you talk about cost me coming from a cost switch it will help us clean the control, in projects especially, control background environment, as it is a cleaner you are really talking about helps, but it does not fuel. To that extent I will give capital projects and how you really change anything support to LPG initiatives in the monitor cost against because I have always company. Doing LPG will also performance. It's a science that been a cost champion be good for us because, as part anyway. is done in project management. of the renewable energy However, what that does is that framework, we have what is it makes you to be cost called the Clean Development conscious. I think I made a joke Mechanism (CDM) where you of it when I was being newly Mr Discount, and when I came have carbon credits. Yes, the introduced in NLNG that when I to NLNG and I said, 'Definitely carbon market has gone down joined NPDC the Honourable More Discount, the people said but it may pick up in the near Minister gave me a mandate to that's what DMD means, not future, and we can earn money reduce OPEX and CAPEX by 30 Deputy Managing Director. I through that. For example, we per cent respectively. So think people get afraid of that, can make a fuel switch for all everywhere I went I was asking but what you are asking for is the vehicles running on Bonny for 30 per cent discount more value for same or even Island in both the Industrial and because there were already less. Residential Areas which will

36 reduce our carbon footprints; believe that Nigeria as a gas we look at how much emissions country has a lot of potential. we are saving, and with that Within the context of the we can earn carbon credit vagaries of the oil price, gas which we can either cash for has a lot more stability and that money or use as a green is why I think we have to revisit credential in future to negotiate the Gas Master Plan so that we loans with global financial can adequately harness our gas institutions, for instance. It is for it to drive the economy. also good for the reputation of NLNG because you are also Then I also set a personal target boosting your green credentials. for myself. I am an engineer by wondered what it is that NNPC training and I see a lot of A bit of curiosity, coming into can learn from NLNG. With learning opportunity for me. NLNG with an outside that kind of mind-set, I like the There are things in the perspective, what did you see, Culture Alignment Journey with commercial area that I do not the good and the not-so-good? the talk about Collaboration know, that I will like to What sort of targets have you and the 10 Behaviours. I love know—international contracts, set for yourself, and what sort that. If there is collaboration in- negotiations and stuff like of vision to ensure that your company, there should be that—because that's what time here is one that impacts on collaboration also with the makes you a rounded leader. If the business? shareholder companies. I think you produce and there's that although the governance nobody to sell it to a buyer then From outside, what I know system defining relationships you are going to shut down about NLNG is that it is a with the shareholders is already your plant because there is company where they have rules approved and entrenched, nobody evacuating! So our and things work, but it is a NNPC can learn a lot from Commercial guys are as company I did not know much here. So, I see myself as a important as the Production about. That means that it is a bridge builder enabling a flow folks. company that was not in the between NNPC and NLNG so news. The only news I heard that there can be learnings on You have worked in the about the company was about both sides, as happened with upstream and the downstream the science and the literature the recent visit to NLNG of our sectors. Today the widely held prizes. Of course I know that IT people. I think that will view in Nigeria is that the we deal with NLNG in NNPC strengthen the governance downstream is not working. As because I know we have the structure of NNPC. somebody who has a lot of LNG monitoring division. That's experience in this area, share about all I know. I am also looking at Train 7 FID. your views with us. What can It is a personal target I set for we do in Nigeria to make the But when I was posted here, myself but I realize that that downstream work? people said, 'You will like here. may not be easily or quickly You know you are a very achieved because the gestation I think we are already making structured, process person, so period for that kind of activity is progress in the right direction. you will just fit in.' And that's long. There's a lot of activity You can see that the queues are what I have found out. happening on that front, so if I disappearing in our fuel stations am an enabler and I participate because we increased the With regard to target and in the process that eventually pump price of petrol. And what vision, I see myself as a bridge leads to a decision on Train 7, I has happened is basically a builder. I have always think it would be good. I commercial argument. I am

37 importing petrol because I am offers a lot of opportunities for help and that's what drives me. not refining what I need in- Nigeria as well. country, and the landing cost is I am a very news hungry X, so, if you sell it at below that When and how did you know person. If it is news, I will get it. cost, then there is going to be a you were coming to NLNG and I will get it on Twitter, problem and a manipulation of who is Mai-Bornu in private? WhatsApp, Blackberry, and I'm the system. When you have constantly downloading apps. parity, market forces come into First of all I didn't know I was Even this morning I was play and at some point the going to be moved. But if I was, watching the USA Democratic market will stabilise. So, that my thoughts would be that I National Convention. So, I aspect is being taken care of. would be going to Engineering always like to get information or may be PPMC. I never about what is happening What do we need to do next? thought about NLNG at all, but around me, and I like to make We need to improve in-country when they said it was NLNG, I friends with people but I also try refining. When I was in NPDC, was like 'ok, that is also a nice to give them their space. we started engaging people place'. After we heard about that wanted to build modular the appointments online, it took I am a father. I care about what refineries, you know, packaged a few days for the official letters happens to my children and to units that you bring alongside to come. My case was a bit other peoples' children. In that your oil fields. You plug it in different because I had two regard, I think education is there and you reduce issues of letters. There's an appointment important, and that drove me to transportation cost and issues of letter and a secondment letter. become a recognised learning vandalism and theft. What Shortly thereafter, I learnt that I champion in NNPC. happens is that the cost comes could not just come to NLNG down a little bit; you are and start working. There is a I am a very expressive person. I refining the crude that is right process; the NLNG Board had can be blunt. My wife says my next to you and you have to first accept you. So, I had to problem is that I am too blunt, vehicles that come to take it, so wait. One interesting thing that so I try to be diplomatic, and I you are actually bringing the happened is that I was asked to can tell you the truth in a very product much closer to the come and participate in on- nice way. community; you are creating boarding process while waiting more job opportunities for the for Board approval, but I respect people because I think people and then you are because I was not officially that leadership is not about reducing the demand to import NLNG, my time had to be paid position in the sense that you finished petroleum product. The for by NNPC. That's part of the don't have to be at the top to demand for dollar, and excellent governance process at be a leader. It is about the pressure on the Naira and the NLNG which I mentioned change you bring to a situation foreign exchange reserve earlier. and the impact you make on actually lessens. I think people. I respect people government should give clearer As for who I am in private, I am because I think people are insight to how that is going to a very intense person, if I would important and are leaders in play out so that the rules don't use that expression. I have their different ways. change down the road. I cannot passion for a lot of things. I speak authoritatively on this but have feelings for people. I care I think that the government and for people. But I cannot solve NNPC are looking at various everybody's problem. I cannot models with regard to this. Of solve the problem of the world. course you know that Dangote I cannot solve the problem of refinery is coming up and that Nigeria, but I want to be of

38 Transforming science education, one laboratory at a time By Dan Daniel In November 2013, the Board Nigeria. Thus the idea for the thinking and a joined-up of Directors of Nigeria LNG University Support Programme approach and though it looked Limited, a company known for began. The NLNG University like an imposing task, NLNG its various CSR contributions Support Program (USP), was set the events in motion, making towards the development of intended from the outset to be a the calls to the universities. education, healthcare, collaborative venture between infrastructure, enterprise and the corporate world and The first meeting between capacity development across academia to complement the NLNG and the various the country, made a bold efforts of the government in universities held on Tuesday 25th decision to go further in its building a better of February, 2014.

commitment to inspiring Nigerian society. Key The universities present were: education development in objectives of the initiative were University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Nigeria. NLNG's board of to build capacity, encourage Bello University, University of directors committed $12 million sustainability and ensure full Maiduguri, University of ($2 million per geopolitical ownership by all parties Nigeria, University of Port zone) towards the development involved. As such, implementing Harcourt and University of of engineering education in the project would require new Ilorin. A number of professors

39 were, by self admission, initially deployed its resources and best utilized for the execution of the doubtful and a little curious, to practices in engineering, project, choosing, quite say the least. That first meeting construction, procurement, uniquely, to devote the bulk of would put to rest most of their finance and contracting to help its funds to equipping each concerns as NLNG explained support the universities’ efforts laboratory with as much state- the essence of this new at ensuring that what was of-the-art equipment as possible. commitment, helped each promised by each university Commissioned on that fateful university understand how it was delivered. This would mark Saturday morning in November, was selected to participate in the start of an 18-month series the NLNG-Multi-User laboratory the program (the top university of meetings, agreements, features six distinct laboratories: in each geopolitical zone disbursements, visits, reports a soil-testing laboratory, an based on respected rankings) etc. that showed its first fruit on environmental laboratory, a and worked through its desire Saturday 21st of November mechatronics laboratory, a and need to partner with each 2014, the peak of harmattan, materials characterization institution to build sustainable in a cool yet dusty Zaria, on the laboratory, a materials-testing capacity. A mode of delivery campus of Ahmadu Bello laboratory and an ICT was agreed-on and the USP University, Zaria. laboratory/video conferencing initiative was announced to the centre. world on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

A memorandum of agreement (MoA) between NLNG and each university was signed in Abuja on Friday 20th of June 2014 after further discussions and a streamlining of the approach the program would take. The MoA spelt out details and responsibilities of all parties involved in the implementation of the initiative The commissioning of NLNG/UI Engineering Laboratory Complex took place at University of Ibadan on March 29, 2016 (NLNG, the universities and any other third parties involved). It USP Projects: University of Ibadan: was agreed that the universities Ahmadu Bello University: NLNG/UI Engineering will be the implementing NLNG Multi-User Laboratory Laboratory Complex partners while NLNG funded Scope: Scope: the initiative on milestone - Renovation + Branding – - Equipment + Branding – payments. The universities were 12.4% of funds donated 100% of funds donated given full autonomy for - Procurement of Equipment – Commissioned: 29 March determining the project scope, 87.6% of funds donated 2016 design, construction and Commissioned: 21 November procurement of equipment. As 2015 University of Ibadan (UI) had such, each university had free the honour of being the second hand to determine the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), USP project to be application of funds – either on home to the first of the six commissioned. Evidence of both building and/or equipment projects to be commissioned, the university’s gratitude for the while NLNG followed-up, had identified a building to be donation and validation of the

40 lecture theatre, the modular refinery housed within a dry and a wet lab and a series of offices for students, conference room facility and an IT room/laboratory.

University of Ilorin: NLNG Engineering Research Centre Scope: - Building + Branding – 69% of funds donated - Equipment – 31% of funds The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, commissioned the NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering at University of Port Harcourt. She is flanked by NLNG's donated then MD/CEO Babs Omotowa (R) and the then Deputy MD Isa Inuwa (L), among other dignitaries Commissioned: 8 July 2016

“capacity building/enhancing nature” of the USP project can be seen in the university’s decision to match NLNG's funding with its own equivalent/counterpart funds dedicated to the building of the centre. This approach allowed University of Ibadan - which termed the proposal “a God- sent” - to devote all of the donated funds received from NLNG to equipment purchase. The NLNG/UI Engineering Laboratory Complex boosted the University of Ibadan's NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering at University of Port Harcourt capacity in materials handling, University of Port Harcourt University of Ilorin (Unilorin), metal cutting/machining, (UniPort), based in the heart of hosts the largest building of the material testing, automotive Nigeria's oil and gas province, set. Bearing some kind of works. It provided UI with a decided to build a centre of resemblance to an LNG vessel, comprehensive automation excellence for capacity the NLNG Engineering laboratory. development in this industry that Research Centre, of all the USP would house the only modular projects is the one project solely University of Port Harcourt: refinery within an academic devoted to research work and it NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining, institution in Sub-Saharan shows in every aspect of its and Petrochemical Engineering Africa. This project is housed in design. The centre is equipped Scope: the Institute of Petroleum Studies with multiple ICT laboratories - Building + Branding – industrial park at UniPort and for high-end, high-speed 54.5% of funds donated hopes to benefit from computing, a pipeline - Equipment – 45.5% of funds collaborative opportunities at engineering laboratory, a donated the Institute. The centre houses a materials laboratory, nano- Commissioned: 1 April 2016 world-class amphitheatre, a engineering laboratory and

41 NLNG Engineering Research Centre at University of Ilorin much more.

University of Maiduguri: Scope: - Building + Branding – 47% of funds donated - Equipment – 53% of funds donated Commissioning: TBD Perhaps the most impressive effort of all six initiatives. The Commissioning of NLNG Multi-User Laboratory at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria: From left, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, Minister of State for Education who represented the president; Arc. Mohammed Dewu, building of the UniMaid USP Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council; NLNG then MD/CEO Babs Omotowa; Mohammed Bashir centre took place at the height Saidu, Kaduna State Commissioner of Local Government who represented the state governor; HRH Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and Chancellor, ABU, Zaria of a very disruptive period in the North-East geopolitical zone NLNG's USP partners in that equipment delivery is of the country. The fortitude and region has been on full display completed, the project will be exemplary spirit behind ensuring building completion by commissioned in what would mid-year 2016. As soon as certainly be an elation moment

42 The NLNG-built Faculty of Engineering Laboratories, University of Maiduguri

A scene from the commissioning at University of Ibadan, coordinated by some of the engineering students who also took part in building The NLNG-built and equipped research laboratory at University of Nigeria, Nsukka the laboratory and a hard-won victory for all computer laboratory, a parties involved. mechanical engineering laboratory, a metallurgical and University of Nigeria Nsukka: materials engineering Scope: laboratory and an Agric & Bio- - Building + Branding – 28% resources engineering of funds donated laboratory. - Equipment – 72% of funds donated What started out as a vision, Commissioning: TBD inspired by NLNG's mission to help “build a better Nigeria” is The hilly city of Nsukka will also now gaining recognition and play host to the newest and one plaudits around the country, of the most advanced with accolades from the media, engineering laboratories in the the business community, the South-East region of Nigeria. academic sector and civil Construction work at the UNN society as a whole as NLNG

USP site is now complete and has been decorated with Dignitaries undertake a tour of the facilities at the project commissioning awards such as “Best Gas NLNG/University of Ibadan Laboratory during ceremony is set to hold as soon Company in Nigeria” and “Best the commissioning as equipment delivery is CSR Company” to name a few. institutions use the resources to completed. The centre will move Nigeria further along its house an electrical engineering Needless to say, the development journey. laboratory, an electronic organisation feels considerably engineering laboratory, a fulfilled and hopes to see these

43 Meet the Judges

By Emeka Agbayi and Uzoamaka Nwobilor

Dan Izevbaye University of Lagos; University Chairman, Panel of Judges, The of Nigeria, Nsukka; University Nigeria Prize for Literature 2016 of Lesotho; University of Natal; University of Sierra Leone; University of Transkei, Umtata. He was also the Coordinator of the Senior Secondary School Literature Project in Englishman NERC.

A Fellow and past President of Nigerian Academy of Letters, Izevbaye has also been member of Governing Council, Asabe Kabir Usman College of Education, Abraka Diploma in Education from and Bowen University, and Shehu Shagari College of member of Planning Committee, Education, Sokoto, an affiliate

Dan Izevbaye Bendel State University (now, of Ahmadu Bello University, Ambrose Ali University). Zaria. In 1965, Dan Izevbaye graduated from University of Dan Izevbaye has contributed Asabe Usman has taught in Ibadan with a First Class to various books and learned various secondary schools Bachelor of Arts Degree in journals, local and across Sokoto and Zamfara English, winning, in the international, and has earned a states as well as Haliru Binji process, the Faculty (of Arts) rock-solid reputation as a great College of Arts and Science, Prize for best graduating literary critic. Sokoto (now Sokoto State student. Three years later, he Polytechnic) before joining the obtained his PhD in English Asabe Kabir Usman Department of Modern from the same university. Member, Panel of Judges, The European Languages and Nigeria Prize for Literature 2016 Linguistics, Usmanu Danfodiyo He has taught in various University Sokoto in 1998. She universities since 1968 and has Prof. (Mrs.) Asabe Kabir Usman has been professor of Oral and been a professor of English attended Federal Government African Literatures at Usmanu since 1980. Dan has been Girls College, Oyo, 1978 and Danfodiyo University since visiting lecturer at University of graduated in 1983; University 2010. Kent at Canterbury, visiting of Sokoto, (now Usmanu professor at University of Danfodiyo University, Sokoto,) Asabe Usman has attended Pennsylvania, University of and graduated with a BA and/or participated in about Benin, and University of Fort degree in English Language in thirty-seven academic Hare, South Africa. He has 1988; MA Literature in English conferences and workshops been external examiner or in 1999; PhD Literature in and has about fifty-eight curriculum consultant at English in 2003. In 2006, she publications in recognized University of the West Indies; obtained a Professional national and international University of Ife (now OAU);

44 journals. She belongs to various Diala has published extensively University College of Ghana in academic associations such as on varying aspects of African June, 1957. He went on to Association of Nigerian Authors literature, written and oral, and Downing College, Cambridge, (ANA), African Literature has been a recipient of research England, Yale and Carnegie- Association (ALA), Nigerian fellowship awards in Sweden, Mellon in the USA for his Oral Literature Association the University of Cambridge Masters and PhD qualifications. (NOLA), Linguistics Association and the University of London, of Nigeria (LAN) and has been both in the United Kingdom, For 29 years, he taught at national president of Literary and in Germany. Legon, with intermissions at Society of Nigeria (LSN), Ibadan and a Visiting English Studies Association He is also a distinguished Fellowship at Christ's College, Nigeria (ESAN), Nigerian creative writer: his play, The Cambridge. He took an early Folklore Society (NFS) and vice Pyre, was joint-winner of the retirement from Legon, after a president (Sokoto State) Forum 1992 ANA Drama Prize, and stint as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of for African Women his poetry collection, The Lure of the University and spent eight Educationalists (FAWE). Ash, was winner of the 1998 years as Full Professor at Moi ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize. University in Eldoret, Western Married with children and Kenya. His keen interest in the grandchildren, Asabe is the Professor Diala is currently the creative use of language in the author of Destinies of Life, a only recipient (in 2014) of The diglossic situation of Kenya led novel. Nigeria Prize for Literary to a conference and a Criticism sponsored by Nigeria publication titled The Creative Isidore Diala LNG Limited. Use of Language in Kenya Member, Panel of Judges, The edited jointly with Professor Nigeria Prize for Literature 2016 Professor Kwadzo Ebli Drid Williams. Senanu International Consultant, The In 1978, Professor Senanu and Nigeria Prize for Literature 2016 Professor Theo Vincent published the definitive anthology of African Poetry, a second and enlarged edition of which is still in print.

Professor Senanu has published scholarly articles on the drama of Wole Soyinka and the fiction of Chinua Achebe. He has supervised several postgraduate theses on a host of African Isidore Diala writers including Nadine Educated at Abia State Gordimer, Jack Mapange, University, Uturu, and the Ngugi wa Thiongo, Ayi Kwei Armah, Ben Okri. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Kwadzo Ebli Senanu Isidore Diala is Professor of African literature in the Professor Kwadzo Ebli Senanu, He is Life Member of Clare Department of English, Imo who turned 83 this year, Hall, Cambridge and feels State University, Owerri, obtained a First Class Honours honoured to serve as the Nigeria. Degree in English from the external judge of this year's The Nigeria Prize for Literature.

45 Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi Professor Atawodi was a Nwaorgu Obioma (MAAAS, MNYAS, FUICC, FAS) German Academic Exchange Chebechi (FAS) Member, Panel of Judges, The (DAAD) Scholar between1990 Member, Panel of Judges, The Nigeria Prize for Science 2016 and 1991. In 1993, he won, Nigeria Prize for Science 2016 through international competition, the fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany (AvH) for postdoctoral research at the Ludwig Maximillian University, Munich, Germany. At the world renowned International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO centre in Lyon, France, he served as a Special Training Award Fellow/Temporary Consultant in 1995/1996, while in 2004-2005, he was an Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi Alexander von Humboldt Visiting Professor at the famous Obioma Chebechi Nwaorgu Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi has German Cancer Research Obioma Chebechi Nwaorgu is made outstanding contributions Centre in Heidelberg. a Fellow of the Nigerian to academic excellence, Academy of Science, a fellow leadership and community He is a co-grantee of two World of the Royal Society of Tropical service. He has contributed Bank–supported STEP-B Projects Medicine and Hygiene London immensely to putting the name and a member of over a dozen UK; member of the British of Nigeria on the international other national and international Society and Nigerian Society intellectual achievement map, professional bodies, reviewer for Parasitology, member of being one of the most cited for dozens of international Women in Science and member Nigerian scientists for the 140 journals and Member of of International Epidemiological peer-reviewed publications in Editorial Board of others. Association. She has been a high impact, mainly, Science Takemi Fellow of the Citation Indexed (SCI) journals, Professor Atawodi has served Department of International and the more than 60 invited as pioneer Director of Health Harvard School of Public presentations, workshop Advancement and Linkages, Health, Boston, USA (1994 – proceedings and conference Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, 1995), a Global Health papers. Katsina State and as Leadership Fellow of the World Consultant/Resource Person to Health Organization (WHO), He has been a Professor of several national and Geneva, Switzerland under the Biochemistry at Ahmadu Bello international organizations, Roll Back Malaria (RBM) unit University since October, 2004. including National Universities (1999 – 2001) and a British He graduated with a BSc Commission (NUC), ECOWAS Council Strategic Leader (Hons) degree in Biochemistry Commission and UNICEF. He is (2009). from Ahmadu Bello University, a Fellow and currently, Member Zaria in 1982, and obtained of Council of Nigerian Prof. Nwaorgu holds a PhD in MSc and PhD degrees in Academy of Science (NAS). Public Health Parasitology from Biochemistry from University of the University of Cambridge, Ibadan in 1987 and 1992, UK which she obtained in 1978 respectively.

46 and BSc in Zoology Catherine Olufunke Falade is (MMV) [Switzerland] and a (parasitology) from the one of Nigeria's leading member of the Board of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. experts in malaria research. Institute for Malaria Research & She has also attended at least She was the best student in her Phytomedicine, University of ten certificate courses in various class at the 1968 West Africa Port Harcourt, GlaxoSmithKline fields including social science School Certificate Examinations Committee of experts on methods, leadership, where she scored distinctions in malaria. Prof. Falade served as negotiating skills and all subjects. She was the a Member CDA Independent international consultancy, recipient of Federal Government Data and Safety Management among others. As Professor of Scholarship for her Committee which reviewed Public Health Parasitology and undergraduate studies. She safety and efficacy data on Epidemiology, she has more graduated from the Faculty of LAPDAP-ACT during than forty articles published in Medicine, now College of development. She is also a peer reviewed journals, made Medicine, University of Ibadan, member of the Monitoring & presentations at many in June 1975 with a Bachelor Evaluation Committee of the international and national of Medicine; Bachelor of Nigerian National Malaria conferences and has pioneered Surgery degree with Distinction Control Program. two control programmes (on in Pediatrics. She received both Guinea worm and the Glaxo-Welcome and Prof. Catherine Falade has Onchocerciasis). Departmental Prizes in received research grants and Pediatrics. She went back for support from numerous funding Obioma is also the Executive her postgraduate training in agencies. She currently has Director/President of a Internal Medicine in 1987. She over 90 publications to her Nigerian based non- holds the Fellowships of both credit while she remains a very governmental organization the West Africa and National active researcher. Global Health Awareness Postgraduate Medical Colleges Research Foundation (GHARF) in Internal Medicine is a Fellow with ECOSSOC status of the of both The African Academy of UN. the Sciences and the Nigerian Academy of Science and a Catherine Olufunke Falade Master of Science degree in Chairperson, Panel of Judges, The Pharmacology. Nigeria Prize for Science 2016 Catherine Falade was promoted to full professorship in October of 2008 and appointed Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist to the University College Hospital Ibadan in June 1995, a position she holds to date. Prof Catherine Falade is currently the Director, Institute for Advanced Medical Research & Training, University of Ibadan.

She is a member of Paediatric ACT Advisory Committee of Catherine Olufunke Falade Medicine for Malaria Venture

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