NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 1

06 Oil & Gas Industry Review

10 Oil & Gas Facts On Marble

Discourse

12 Time for Gas 26 Benefits of Treating

Customers Right

Special Story

22 35 Years After, Anele

Looks Ahead 30 A.B.C. of Crude Oil
Remittances

2 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

32
Chika’s Diary

42
Golden Nuggets From
NOGIG 2020 Change at the Speed
of Light – Covid-19 and
Digitisation

Protocol Perspective

40 A Slip Could Wipe out

Good Record of Tested
Protocol Professional
NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 3
4 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020
 From the Editor
THE
FASCINATING
GAS RACE

The Team After decades in fits and starts, the story Manager in charge of the Group Public Affairs
of natural gas production, utilization and Division of the Corporation. And by extension,
Editor in Chief optimization in Nigeria is flaring-up, albeit the Editor-In-Chief of all GPAD publications
Kennie Obateru positively, for a rewarding experience for including your favourite In-house quarterly
stakeholders and for the populace who the journal.
Editorial Advisor NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele A gifted Public and Media Relations
Gboyega Bello Kyari, would readily refer to as the ‘’over 200 professional, Obateru comes across as a
Editor
million shareholders’’ of the Corporation and thorough NNPC breed PR strategist, bringing to
Michael Mukwuzi the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry. the table over 30 years of experience in the oil
Though the discovery of gas in Nigeria is as and gas industry.
Deputy Editor old as the successful spud-in of the nation’s first What is more! He commands a great deal
Chika Umeh commercially viable crude oil well in 1956, the of respect and admiration from colleagues
substance, for so long, did not enjoy the same and stakeholders alike for his undeniable
Assistant Editors pride of place as the famed black gold. professionalism and savoir-faire.45
Rakiya Sambo
But all that seems changed now, as the 441]’
Stanley Ogadigo
country grapples with the reality of the shifting In a recent article, a columnist wrote thus
News Editor sands and unimaginable volatility in the global about him:
Abu Kabir crude oil matrix. “Obateru has paid his dues as a public
The Q1 2020 edition of the NNPC and media relations expert. He rose through
Photo Editor Magazine undertook an in-depth excursion into the ranks in the NNPC through his tenacity,
Olasunkanmi Arowosegbe the subject of Gas. brilliance, astuteness and friendliness. Reporters
The edition presents on a salver concrete who have covered and are still covering the oil
Correspondents
measures by the Corporation to expand domestic industry always commend him for his friendliness
Iyabo Ayobami-Ojo
Bukar Abba Gas footprints from the existing 1.1 BCF to 2.2 and resourcefulness. Obateru is an epitome of
Wycliffe Lumsam BCF within the next few years by activating a competence and humility’’.
Alex Okumo cocktail of strategies ranging from provision His career in the NNPC started in 1992
Aliyu Abubakar of adequate gas infrastructure networks in when he was employed as a protocol/consular
Francis Alu accordance with the growing population, to officer at the Public Affairs Department of the
Prince Etuwewe integration of gas & power infrastructure corporation.
Abdullahi Idris networks, and down to the instilling of market Rising through the ladder to the position of
Ikenna Okpani
driven gas and power prices to support supply/ General Manager/Head NNPC London Office.
Abigail Ojogbo
demand among others steps. An alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of
Distribution The Cover Story is made complete with the Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, University of Ilorin
Andrew Wobo historic chronicle of the advent of natural gas and University of Stirling, Scotland, United
Elijah Yenyor-David in Nigeria as captured in the detailed research Kingdom, Obateru holds a certificate in news
work presented years ago by the Nigeria Gas reporting, a Bachelor’s degree in Performing
All correspondence to the Flare Commercialization Programme under Arts and an M.Sc in Public Relations.
Editor, NNPC Magazine, Group the auspices of the Department of Petroleum In 2012, he was awarded a doctorate
Public Affairs Division,
Resources (DPR). in Management [Honoris Causa], by the
Room 100, 1st Floor, Block
D, NNPC Towers, Herbert Commonwealth University, Belize.
Macaulay Way, Central Unveiling, Dr. Kennie Obateru, Our Obateru is a member of the International
Business District, Abuja New Editor-In-Chief Public Relations Association, a senior member of
Tel: 09046084203, In concordance with the vision to reposition the Africa Public Relations Association as well
09046081026 the Corporation for efficiency and Improved as a member of both the Nigerian Institute of
Email: nnpcpublicaffairs@ productivity, the Federal Government in March, Public Relations and the Nigerian Institute of
nnpcgroup.com 2020, made some crucial changes in the Top Management.
Management Cadre of the NNPC.
Thus entered Dr. Kennie Obateru, who has Michael Mukwuzi
since assumed duty as the Group General
nduka.mukwuzi@nnpcgroup.com

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 5

Oil and Gas Industry Review
How Nigeria Lost $750m to Oil Theft in 2019

T
he Nigerian National facing the corporation to in the long term”, he assured.
Petroleum Corporation include vandalism of oil and gas In his presentation, NNPC Chief
(NNPC) has disclosed that infrastructure and kidnapping Operating Officer, Downstream,
the nation lost about $750 of personnel, adding that there Engr. Yemi Adetunji, said that
million to oil theft in 2019. was a deep connection between in 2016, the Gulf of Guinea
In a presentation to members of the the various shades of security accounted for more than half of
Executive Intelligence Management challenges as they are all linked the global kidnappings for ransom,
Course 13 of the National Institute to what was happening in the Gulf with 34 seafarers kidnapped out
for Security Studies (NISS) who of Guinea and the entire maritime of 62 cases worldwide.
visited the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on environment. He said the corporation was working
a study tour, the Group Managing He called for a concerted effort closely with security agencies to
Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele and synergy to secure oil and gas tackle the security challenges, and
Kyari, decried the growing operations for the economic survival cited the “Operation Kurombe”
activities of oil thieves and pirates of the country. that was recently conducted by the
which he described as a threat to Responding to questions on the Nigerian Navy at the Atlas Cove as
the operations of the corporation. challenge posed by the proposed an example of such collaborative
The GMD who spoke on the topic: energy migration by most western efforts.
“Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; Issues, countries to renewables, the GMD On his part, the Executive Director,
Challenges for International Trade, said that fossil fuels would still be National Institute of security
National Security and Sustainable relevant and that the demand for Studies, Dr. Ayodele Adeleke,
Development of Member States”, crude oil would not reduce in the called for synergy among the
stated that any threat to the nearest future. security agencies to tackle the
corporation’s operations was a “Even by 2050, fossil fuel would security challenges not only in the
direct threat to the very survival of account for 80 per cent of the Gulf of Guinea, but in the Nigerian
Nigeria as a nation because of the energy mix, and there would still Petroleum Industry generally.
strategic role of the corporation as be consumption of at least, 100 The visiting team was drawn from
an enabler of the economy. million barrels of oil per day. We 18 agencies within and outside
He listed other security challenges are determined to remain relevant Nigeria.

Vandalized Oil Pipeline

6 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

$1.16Million US Trade Agency Grant for
Abuja Power Plant

A
s part of efforts to the GMD assured. which we are putting up strategies
guarantee energy He informed that NNPC under his to stop. By stopping gas flaring, we
security for the country, watch was committed to providing create wealth, we create prosperity
the Nigerian National the necessary infrastructure that and we have to deliver power to
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has would reduce the power deficit and the country. We also know that the
secured a grant from the United also reduce to the barest minimum focus of the Federal Government is
States Trade and Development gas flaring which impacts the to deliver power to the people as
Agency (USTDA) to facilitate the environment negatively. quickly as possible and also deliver
establishment of a 1,350Megawatts The NNPC helmsman stated that the gas to our domestic market,”
(MW) Independent Power Plant in corporation had already delivered Mallam Kyari submitted.
Abuja. the Oben-Obrikun and Obiafu Earlier, the United States
Speaking at the signing ceremony (OB3) gas pipelines, expanded the Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth
of the grant which held on the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System 2 Leonard, said the grant was part
sidelines of the recent Nigeria (ELPS 2) with her partners and is of America’s intervention to reduce
International Petroleum Summit about constructing the Ajaokuta- the power deficit, create jobs and
(N.I.P.S) in Abuja, Group Managing Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline which support the expansion of gas
Director of the NNPC, Mallam would deliver gas from the OB3 infrastructure in Nigeria.
Mele Kyari, said the $1.16million line to Kano. On his part, the Director of USTDA,
USTDA grant would be deployed He added that along that corridor, Tom Hardy, stated that the grant of
for the provision of technical, the plan is for the NNPC to build $1.16million to the NNPC was an
economic and financial analyses three independent power plants in American power solution geared
necessary for the development of Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, stressing towards boosting the nation’s
the combined cycle, natural gas- that the strategy would enable the economy.
fired power plant to be sited in debottlenecking of power into the Managing Director of General
Gwagwalada, a satellite town of grid to ensure stable power supply. Electric (GE) Gas Power System
Abuja. Mallam Kyari said the construction in Nigeria, Mohammed Mijindadi,
Mallam Kyari stated that the power of the AKK pipeline would lead expressed the readiness of GE to
plant, when completed, would to the establishment of industries deliver on her mandate.
deliver power to the national along the route of the pipeline all Highpoint of the event was the
grid for onward transmission to the way to Kano, noting that the signing of the grant documents
Nigerians to facilitate industrial spin-off effect would be prosperity by the Managing Director of
growth and reduce poverty in the for the people. NNPC Gas and Power Investment
country. “We know that gas is the cleanest Company (GPIC), Engr. Husaini El-
“We all know that there must be a form of energy. We also know that Yakubu, for NNPC and Tom Hardy
framework. We all know that there we are flaring some of the gas for USTDA.
are so many delayed projects in
this industry that have to do with
delivering gas to the domestic
market for so many reasons. One
of the challenges that led to this
is inability to secure financing and
other fiscal issues that we are all
familiar with and they have to be
resolved. What we have to do is
to create infrastructure that will
deliver gas to the domestic market
and we are already doing that,” A Gas Processing facility

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 7

Handshake from Russia

T
he Russian Federation has the two countries across the oil and was ready to provide any kind
expressed its readiness to gas value-chain. of assistance to move the project
partner with the Nigerian “We are particularly interested in forward.
National Petroleum participating in Nigeria’s power Responding, Mallam Kyari thanked
Corporation (NNPC) in the infrastructure projects. We would the Ambassador for the visit, even
development of Nigeria’s upstream, also keep close track of the ongoing as he assured him of NNPC’s
gas and power sectors. negotiations between NNPC and commitment to partner with the
This was made known by the Gazprom on the restoration of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria to
Russian Federation Ambassador bilateral cooperation which aims ensure that the two countries benefit
to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, to revive and solidify the venture from the bilateral cooperation
during a working visit to the Group between our two companies for reached in Sochi, Russia.
Managing Director of the NNPC, gas infrastructure development in “As a National Oil Company,
Mallam Mele Kyari. Nigeria,” Ambassador Shebarshin we are committed to growing
....Shebarshin, who stated that the stated. Nigeria’s economy. We will set
visit was to consolidate on the gains While highlighting the Memorandum up communication channels with
made from the Russia-Africa Summit of Understanding (MoU) signed the Russian companies, Lukoil and
held in Sochi last year, added that between the NNPC and Russian- Gazprom in particular, to promote
the Russian Embassy in Nigeria was based Company, Lukoil, which this collaboration for the benefit of
keen on enhancing and developing focused on refinery rehabilitation, our two countries,” Kyari noted.
the bilateral co-operation between the diplomat stressed that he

Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari with H.E Alexey Shebarshin, Russian Federation
Ambassador to Nigeria.

8 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

New Price for Petrol

O
NNPC Retail Station

n Wednesday, Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated.

18th March, 2020, to reduce the Ex-Coastal and Ex- Moving swiftly in compliance with
Nigerians were Depot prices of PMS to reflect the directives of the Hon. Minister ,
greeted with the current market realities’’. the NNPC reviewed its Ex-coastal,
cheering news of a reduction in the He also said that the Petroleum Ex-depot and NNPC Retail pump
pump price of petrol from N145 to Products Pricing Regulatory prices accordingly.
N125 per litre. Agency (PPPRA) shall subsequently Thus effective 19th March 2020,
The Minister of State for Petroleum issue a monthly guide to NNPC NNPC Ex-Coastal price for PMS
Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva set and Marketers on the appropriate was reviewed downwards from
the ball rolling on the day with the pricing regime. #117.6/litre to #99.44/litre
announcement that the prevailing Sylva noted that the Agency was while Ex-Depot price is reduced
drop in crude oil prices has lowered further directed to modulate pricing from #133.28/litre to #113.28/
the expected open market price of in accordance with prevailing litre. These reductions translated to
imported petrol below the official market dynamics and respond #125/litre retail pump price.
pump price of N145 per litre. appropriately to any further oil Mallam Mele Kyari, Group
He said consequently, Mr. President market development. Managing Director of the NNPC
has approved that Nigerians ‘’It is believed that this measure explained that despite the obvious
should benefit from the reduction in will have a salutary effect on cost implication of this immediate
the price of PMS which is a direct the economy, provide relief to adjustment to the Corporation,
effect of the crash in global crude Nigerians and will provide a NNPC was delighted to effect this
oil prices. framework for sustainable supply of massive reduction of N20/litre for
According to him, ‘’In view of PMS to our country. The Ministry of the benefit of all Nigerians.
this situation, based on the price Petroleum Resources will continue to Accordingly, all NNPC Retail
modulation template approved in encourage the use of Compressed stations nationwide changed the
2015, the Federal Government is Natural Gas to complement PMS retail pump price to N125/litre.
directing the Nigerian National utilization as transport fuel,’’ he

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 9

OIL & GAS FACTS ON MARBLE

DID YOU
KNOW ?
Country with Largest Crude Oil Reserves
Venezuela with proven oil reserves of over 303.2 billion barrels
ranks as the country with the largest oil reserves in the world.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (US EIA)
estimates for 2017, Venezuela holds 17.9 per cent of total global
crude oil reserves.

Meaning of Petroleum
The word “petroleum” literally translates as “rock oil”, which stems
from the Greek word “petra,” meaning rock, and the Latin word
“oleum,” meaning oil.

Largest Onshore Oil Field

The Ghawar Oil Field in Al-Ahsa Governorate, Eastern Province of
Saudi Arabia is ranked as the largest onshore oil field in the world. It
covers an area of 280x 30km and holds about 50 billion barrels of
oil with daily production of about 3.8 million barrels.

10 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

 Largest Offshore Oil Field
Conversely, the Safaniya field, located in the Persian Gulf is ranked
the world’s largest offshore oil field with over 60 billion barrels of oil
in its kitty.

Largest Refinery in the US

The Port Arthur Refinery in Texas with capacity to process 600, 000
barrels of crude oil per day ranks as the biggest refinery in the
United States. The facility is 100 per cent owned by Saudi Aramco,
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 11

 TIME FOR
GAS
With over 202 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and
additional 600 TCF of unproven reserves, Nigeria is moving rapidly
to optimize its gas resources
By Michael Mukwuzi

12 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

 Inside the NPDC operated Odidi Gas Processing Facility in Delta State

T
he history of gas production exploration activities was stepped was reportedly flared as a result
in Nigeria is as old as the up and on Wednesday, 3rd August of lack of gas processing and
story of the first discovery 1955, the discovery well Oloibiri-1 utilization in the country.
of commercial crude oil in was spudded and drilled vertically This unprofitable practice was
the country in Oloibiri, present day to a total depth of 1200 feet sustained through the next
Ogbia Local Government Area, (3660m). The well was tested and decade of oil and gas operations
Bayelsa State in what is known it flowed at the rate of about 5, in Nigeria leading up to 1963
today as South-South Nigeria. 000 barrels of oil per day. Some when gas utilization in Nigeria
According to available records, with volume of gas was also discovered literally teed-off with the historic
the discovery of oil in commercial with the oil. gas sales by the Shell Petroleum
quantities in Oloibiri by Shell Darcy, Alas! The gas produced with the oil Development Company of Nigeria

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 13

 the world.
United States Geological Survey
estimates that gas reserves
potentials in Nigeria could be as
high as 600 Trillion Cubic Feet
(TCF) if properly explored.
In terms of projection, base case
domestic gas demand is projected
to reach 7.4 Billion Standard Cubic
Feet (bscfd) by 2027 driven by the
power sector to improve electricity
access and to substitute the small-
scale generators and reduce
emissions (pollution).
It is also forecast that Nigeria’s
LNG export capacity would reach
30 Million Tonnes per Annum
(MTPA) by 2024 bolstered by
the successful taking of the much
A segment of the Odidi Gas Processing Plant
awaited Final Investment Decision
projected to yield additional 8
(SPDC) to industrial users in Aba in intimidating; experts contend that MTPA N-LNG Train 7.
a bold attempt to create value for the nation’s natural gas reserves At the moment, routine figures of
associated gas which was leisurely automatically catapults the country Gas Utilization give hope that
flared by operators. into the big league with over the country is on a steady ascent
Today, however, Nigeria’s gas 200 Trillion Cubic Feet of proven towards optimization of its gas
credentials looms large and reserves with a ranking of 9th in

14 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

resources. Take for instance the mmscfd of gas supplied to the mmscfd or (57.62 per cent) as gas
report of Nigeria’s Natural Gas export market for the month. supply to the power plants and
Commercialization and Utilization 510.20 mmscfd or (42.38 per cent)
as captured in the January, 2020 This implies that 59.89 per cent of as gas supply to industries.
edition of the NNPC Monthly the average daily gas produced Beyond numbers, NNPC through
Financial and Operations Report. was commercialized while the the years has set in place measures
Under the period, gas production balance of 40.11 per cent was re- to achieve maximization of the
increased by 5.77 per cent at injected, used as upstream fuel gas nation’s gas resources chief among
253.09 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) or flared. Gas flare rate was 7.90 which is the plan to aggressively
compared to output in December per cent for the month under review expand its domestic gas footprint
2019; translating to an average i.e. 643.59 mmscfd compared with with the delivery of the Escravos-
daily production of 8,164.23 average gas flare rate of 8.46 per Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) II to
Million Standard Cubic Feet per cent i.e. 671.40 mmscfd for the double capacity from 1.1billion
day (mmscfd). Similarly, the daily period January 2019 to January standard cubic feet of gas (BSCF)
average natural gas supply to gas 2020. to 2.2BSCF and the OB3 gas
power plants increased by 7.28 per Out of the 1,167.80 mmscfd of gas pipeline to connect the East and the
cent to 639.40mscfd, equivalent to supplied to the domestic market West.
power generation of 2,683MW. in January 2020, about 639.70 Checks by the Magazine also
Out of the 253.09 BCF of gas mmscfd of gas representing 54.78 indicate that the Corporation’s
supplied within the period, a per cent was supplied to gas-fired Gas & Power Autonomous Business
total of 151.16 BCF of gas was power plants while the balance of Unit is championing the initiative to
commercialized consisting of 528.10 mmscfd or 45.22 per cent support domestic gas expansion
36.20 BCF and 114.96 BCF for was supplied to other industries. through the activation of the
the domestic and export market Similarly, for the period of January Seven Critical Gas Development
respectively. 2019 to January 2020 an average Project which essentially seeks to
This translates to a total supply of 1,203.93 mmscfd of gas was harness gas resources and provide
of 1,167.80 mmscfd of gas to the supplied to the domestic market infrastructure to add 3.5 Bscf/d of
domestic market and 3,708.23 comprising an average of 693.73 gas to the domestic gas markets.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 15

 population and economy.
The NNPC is also pursuing effective
integration of gas & power
infrastructure networks while
instilling transparent & market
driven gas and power prices to
support supply/demand.
Nigeria’s national oil company
is also moving aggressively
to increase oil & gas resource
exploitation through mature fields
rejuvenation, marginal fields’
development and activation of
more exploration efforts especially
in frontier locations.
The package is also buoyed by
the integration of the domestic/
The Gas & Power ABU is also Plan (ERGP 2017-2020) of the regional power grids to improve
pursuing the rigorous attainment Federal Government as well as the access, switching to natural gas in
of domestic/regional gas pipeline National Gas Policy (2017). all sectors giving its credentials and
and facilities projects like the He also listed the policy and actions the use of natural gas to increase
landmark Ajaokuta Kaduna-Kano of the Nigerian Government in the uptake of renewables due to
(AKK) gas pipeline project which the natural gas sector such as the their intermittency.
would support 3.6 GW power medium to long - term resource The Magazine gathered that the
projects, Nigeria-Morocco Gas exploitation growth and utilization plan is to ultimately leverage on
Pipeline (NMGP) project etc.; Flare Gas Regulations (2018) technology and industry experience
Expansion of N-LNG capacity from Other actions listed in tow include to produce more with less costs and
22 MTPA to 30 MTPA by 2024 to the ongoing drive to reduce efforts while fostering regional
capture international gas market environmental and social impact and international cooperation
opportunities. Development of gas- due to gas flaring, protection with relevant organizations in the
based industry parks/hubs such as of the environment- prevention energy sector.
petrochemicals, fertilizers, etc. to of wastage of natural resources The package is made complete
add value to the natural gas through creation of social and with the renewed drive to develop
Engr. Yusuf Usman, Chief Operating economic benefits from gas flare. appropriate gas policies and
Officer Gas & Power Division at The COO also dwelt on the plan investment packages to support
a recent presentation reeled out to deliver Nigeria’s Petroleum gas demand and secure affordable
what could be described as a Industry Bill (PIB) which would financing which ultimately would
robust aspiration for the gas sector. ultimately: expand economic promote transparency and
He explained that recent efforts growth via improved revenue flows accountability and performance
by Nigeria and the NNPC in from the oil/gas sector and make excellence in consonance with the
positioning natural gas for the industry efficient. TAPE blueprint.
sustainable development have led To achieve all these, the NNPC is Engr. Usman in the presentation
to the formulation of an assortment moving quickly to stimulate gas enthused that natural gas has
of regulations and policies demand through a work plan prospects for growth but there is
towards positioning natural gas for strategy which would among need to develop all-encompassing
sustainable development. other measures, evolve around the approaches and pathways to
He listed the measures cum following focus areas. stimulate its growth.
policies to include; the 7 Big Wins Achieve boost in natural gas He remarked that the ultimate
Initiatives of the Federal Ministry of production by providing adequate strategy of the corporation in
Petroleum Resources, the National gas infrastructure networks this regard is to develop the
Economic Recovery and Growth in accordance with growing necessary approaches/pathways

16 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

in a collaborative manner with key the need for adequate financing to energy sources and technological
stakeholders. provide infrastructure and for the evolution to enhance gas uptake
Noting that Africa at large has resource exploitation. in existing and emerging niche gas
enough gas resources to meet its He said this can only happen if the markets.
current and future domestic and continent leverages on the growing
export gas demand, but there is global efforts for sustainable future

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 17

 History of Gas in Nigeria

A
noticeable increase Company, and increasing demand commenced in 1963 with gas sales
in gas production for local gas supply for power by the Shell Petroleum Development
commenced in the early generation. In 2015 there were Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to
1970s, ultimately rising 39 companies directly involved in industrial users in Aba.
above 2.7 bscf/d by 1979. By oil and gas production in Nigeria, In its bid to create value for AG,
this time, a domestic market had producing natural gas from 189 which was routinely being flared
been created for the consumption fields with daily AG production of by operators, the Government
of produced gas in the eastern 4.74 bscf/d and NAG production initiated several projects to increase
part of the country, close to the gas of nearly 3.46 bscf/d. gas utilisation in the country from
source. Since 1990 gas production Forecasts indicate that Nigerian the mid-1960s to the late 1990s.
has steadily increased with daily domestic gas demand, coupled with These projects included gas supply to
production rising above 8.2 bscf/d regional demand from the greater thermal power plants in Delta state,
in 2015. West Africa region, may push the Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers
The steady increase in production in annual gas production in Nigeria state, Power Holding Company
recent times is strongly linked to the beyond the 10 bscf/d mark by of Nigeria (PHCN) Sapele, Delta
discovery of more non-associated 2020. The global population is Steel Aladja, National Fertilizer
gas (NAG) reserves in deeper expected to rise to nearly 10 Company of Nigeria (NAFCON),
reservoirs, the development of billion people by 2050, spurring the Ajaokuta Steel complex, the
deep offshore oil fields with huge global energy demand to levels Egbin Thermal Power Station and
associated gas (AG) reserves, nearly 60% higher than today by the Aluminium Smelting Company
participation in the gas export 2060. of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi).
business through the Nigerian Gas Utilization The development of the Nigerian
Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Gas utilisation in Nigeria LNG project was pivotal to

18 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

increased gas utilization in Nigeria reservoir. 1987, flaring of AG had dropped
and to creating a position in the Gas Flaring from over 95% to 70%.
international market. Other major All AG was routinely flared and It was the commencement of
sources of gas demand today disposed-off into the atmosphere production at the Nigeria LNG
include the West African Gas during the early days of oil plant, however, that brought about
Pipeline Company (WAGPCo), production in Nigeria. This practice a major leap in gas flare reductions
the Escravos Gas to Liquid Plant of flaring 100% of AG lasted until in Nigeria. Since 1999, a variety
(EGTL), the SPDC Afam Power Plant the commencement of gas supplies of gas utilization schemes and
and numerous gas plants operated to industrial users in Aba in 1963. regulatory interventions forced gas
by producing companies to process In spite of this early source of flaring down to the current position
gas and recover natural gas liquids utilization and other government of less than 10.4% on average. The
for export to international markets. schemes, over 95 per cent of AG ultimate goal for the government is
Oil and gas producers were also was routinely flared over the next to eliminate routine gas flaring by
encouraged to utilise the produced 15 years. Despite the intervention 2020, with unavoidable gas flaring
AG for gas-lift, fuel for production of the government, gas flaring limited to 2 per cent of total gas
operations and re-injection into increased sharply in the 1970s due production.
the reservoir for conservation and to increased oil production that was Source: Nigerian Gas Flare
reservoir pressure maintenance. triggered by higher international Commercoalization Program
Accordingly, of the 4.74 bscf/d of crude oil prices. Conversely the (NGFCP)- Department of Petroleum
AG produced in 2015 about 4.26 slowdown of crude oil production Resources
bscf/d representing nearly 90% in the 1980s brought about a
was utilised either by consumption reduction in AG production and gas
or re-injection back into the flaring. At the dip of production in

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 19

20 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020
NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 21
 SPECIAL
STORY

Barrister Luke Anele, outgone MD NPSC

35 Years After, Anele

Looks Ahead
It is mission accomplished for Luke Anele, outgone Managing Director, Nigerian
Pipeline and Storage Company, NPSC, a downstream subsidiary of the NNPC

Michael Mukwuzi

22 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

T
hirty-five years after he of NPSC’s activities was totally able to rehabilitate the generator.
joined the Corporation, down; nothing was working there This success fired their enthusiasm
precisely in 1985 as a at all. Most of the staff had been to move on to the next project.
chemical engineering sent out on compulsory leave and “That was how we were able to
supervisor in the Warri Refining were jokingly referred to as IDMs build the can-do spirit in them. That
and Petrochemicals Company (Internally Displaced Managers). confidence, that can-do spirit is
(WRPC), Barr. Luke Anele whose The whole structure had crumbled what has lifted us from the level of
last assignment with the corporation and the morale of the remaining dilapidated facilities to the point
was as Managing Director of The staff was generally low. So, we of profit-making facilities today.
Nigerian Pipeline and Storage And we are still maintaining that
Company (NPSC), is leaving on a tempo.
high having proved his mettle at Indeed, the transformation is
the various units within the NNPC remarkable. Four years down the
Group in which he served. road, the company has managed
His last assignment was clearly its challenges relatively well as it
one of, if not the most challenging has not just remained afloat but
of his career. It is the story of the has also raked in a sizeable income
dramatic turnaround of the NPSC, going by the report of its maiden
one of the corporation’s newest Annual General Meeting, where
subsidiaries created in 2016 when it reported an income of N44.4
the old Pipelines and Products billion.
Marketing Company (PPMC) was Achieving this feat though wasn’t
split into three entities – the NPSC, easy for Anene and his team as they
the Petroleum Products Marketing faced mounting odds, not the least
Company (PPMC) and Marine of which was the dilapidation of
Logistics . key equipment at the organization.
With the creation of the companies, “Virtually nothing was working in
the NPSC continued with the the NPSC as it was then constituted.
pipelines and depots management Starting from the Atlas Cove, as I
function of the old PPMC. With said, to the Systems 2B, 2E, up to
the ravaging scourge of pipeline the far North, nothing was working,
vandalism, no one needed a our facilities were totally down.
soothsayer to understand the In fact, the thinking by the then
enormity of the challenges the management was to package the
young company would face. facilities and lease them out. But
Anele recounts what it was like at when we came and started work at
the beginning when the company the Atlas Cove, as I told you earlier,
started operations: it gave us the courage to start fixing
“We had a lot of challenges, but the facilities one after the other.
what helped us in our journey was constituted a team to handle one “From a situation where there was
the commitment of staff to the cause of the major critical equipment at no electricity for operations, we
of the company. We were able to Atlas Cove that had broken down, were able to fix the EMD generators
create that level of commitment by the EMD generator,” Anele said. to commence operations; we
instilling confidence in the staff. The To get the EDM generator working embarked on the rehabilitation
first step we took was to tell the again, Anele recalled some of the of the tanks at Atlas Cove. There
staff and make them believe that engineers who had been told to was no water, so we had to drill
they are capable of doing many remain at home, to handle the project. a borehole to provide water. I am
things which hitherto were being The team was headed by Engr. only using the Atlas Cove as an
done by contractors. Cosmos Nwanwene. Nwanwene example to show you where we
When I assumed office, Atlas Cove, and his team of engineers, which were at inception and how far we
which still remains the epicenter included some young staff, were have come,’’ he said.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 23

 an optimization project is being
carried on Atlas Cove, which will
add up to 150,000,000 litres
storage capacity. With that, all
issues around demurrage would
have been knocked down.
He said the NPSC is discussing with
the Engineering and Technology
Division of the corporation on how
to also optimize the Satellite Depot
to add another 150,000,000 litres
storage capacity to the facility,
noting that if Satellite and Atlas
Cove have such enhanced storage
capacity the corporation would
cease to have any challenge with
product storage.
In addition to this, the NPSC is
collaborating with the ETD to get
new pumps and four 1.25KVA
Caterpillar generators. He said
work on this has reached an
advanced stage and looks likely to
be completed in a few months.
“We will soon overcome that. We
Anele “By the grace of God, I am a very happy man with great contentment” have also changed the original
design so that it can also run on
Continuing, he said, the staff there original equipment manufacturer, gas because of the high cost of
ran a back-to-back shift system Angus. We also solved the problem running the diesel generators.
and had no place to sleep. of staff sleeping in the office by Gas is cheaper. We have also
“The first time I visited the place building a beautiful guest house connected the depot to the national
I saw a stack of foams packed in there,’’ he said. grid. These are some of the things
the corners of their offices where To achieve this, Anele revoked the we have here at NPSC to boost
they sleep. That was how bad the earlier contract for the construction our operations and reduce costs.
place was. But today if you get to of the guest house and re-awarded These are some of the things that
Atlas Cove, you won’t recognize the it to a more serious and competent are impacting us positively and
place again. We have electricity contractor. boosting our bottom line,” Anene
there now; it has been connected After successfully transforming the said.
to the national grid, besides the Atlas Cove, Anele and his team Despite the successes achieved so
heavy-duty diesel generators which redirected their gaze to Satellite far, a major worry for the NPSC
we have restored for pumping and Mosimi depots on the System is the issue of theft of oil through
operations,” he stated.. 2B Pipeline. The facilities were all willful hacking of pipelines.
Anele said this was a major down and so they embarked on This challenge has put a lot
accomplishment considering the their rehabilitation. On his first visit of pressures on the company’s
state of Atlas Cove when NPSC to Satellite upon assumption of operations. That notwithstanding,
was established and he assumed office as MD of NPSC, he was told Anele and his team have adopted
duty as Managing Director. by a member of staff there that he the strategy of Horizontal
“When I assumed duty as MD, the was the first MD since the old PPMC Directional Drilling (HDD) to bury
fire protection facilities were totally was created to ever visit the place. the pipelines deeper beyond the
out but today we have a fire-fighting The visit to the facility ensured reach of vandals. This method has
truck; we also have in place a fire that all the depots along that been applied at Arepo and Ije-
protection facility installed by the segment were restored. Presently
24 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020
Ododo. shaped our relationships may not succeed. By enterprise, I mean
They have also identified about 11 be there now. I’m sure that’s what putting the organization first and
hot-spots and have approached has changed,” he said. being ready to do anything that
NNPC Management for approval He said for everyone at the time benefits the enterprise. You must let
to do HDD on them. Anele says that the passion to excel was uppermost the interest of the enterprise stand
when the HDD is completed at these in the mind. For him, he noted, twofirst, not your personal interest.
hotspots, the area of exposure key factors underpinned his successThen, the principle of the extra mile
would have been reduced. makes you willing and eager to go
“The final thing that will put an end out of the line to achieve results.
to the issues of pipeline vandalism You don’t tell stories when you are
and oil theft is to change the lines told to go and achieve. My bosses
completely with new ones installed had confidence in me because
by HDD with modern surveillance they believed that I could handle
technology on them. That is what any task. I tell you, when you have
will permanently solve the problem. such reputation and people have
We plan to do that so that we can confidence in you that when you
be at peace with ourselves,” he are put under pressure you would
stated. not betray that trust, you will go
As he calls time on his career, far. These are the driving principles
Anele, who has worked in key units that have taken me this far,” he
of the corporation with varied said.
competences in laboratory services, In all, he said, he is leaving the
production, commercial, legal, Corporation a fulfilled man and
human resources, administration, will devote the remainder of the
procurement/materials time on earth to recreation.
management, policy review among “I have worked for 35 solid years
other areas, is waxing deep in by the time I am breasting the tape.
nostalgia. If I have worked for 35 years,
He said the work environment at why do I need to start working
the corporation at the time of his again? We need to have a break
employment in 1985, is markedly to put in some pleasure which we
different from what obtains today. have missed all these years while
Then, he said, there was greater working. To that extent, I started
camaraderie than is the case today. playing golf in October 2018 and
“I can tell you that in those days I can tell you that I have found joy
as young and growing officers, in it. I will invest a greater part of
we saw our colleagues as brothers my retirement life in playing golf.
and sisters. There was this great Every other thing can come as
trust and bond between us. You an aside, not things that will put
can call someone to go and do pressure on me but things that will
something for you and he would go support the pleasure.
and carry it out without you having “By the grace of God, I am a very
to look over your shoulder to see happy man with great contentment.
if he was doing it well. We saw I am a highly satisfied man. As the
ourselves as friends and brothers, MD, NPSC, there are very few
we enjoyed that relationship. things that move me. I have come
Things are no longer like that a long way, and I have found joy in
now. Maybe because the world is at the NNPC Group. contentment. I am going from NNPC
changing, maybe because we have “Enterprise and the principle of a very happy man, and I thank God
entered the internet era, things extra mile- these are the two for the opportunity which he gave
have changed. Those elements that critical factors that helped me to to me to work in NNPC,” he stated.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 25

 Discourse
Benefits of Treating
Prince Etuwewe
Customers Right

T
he inspiration to write this This negative trend continued until customers badly. Before going on
article came to my mind a new competitor showed up and to highlight how well to treat or
when I walked into one business started slowing down not to treat a customer we need
of our canteens in block A until the “invisible hand” which to identify who is a customer and
and saw that a new restaurateur drives the forces of demand and who is not. Identifying a customer
had taken over one of the stands is a key step towards treating them
with a very beautiful Bain-Marie, right.
clean show glasses, well dressed
and happy staff, clean tables with Who Is A Customer?
lovely tablecloths to match, and a As a business, not everyone that
variety of scintillating and inviting interacts with you is your customer.
dishes on display. Most businesses don’t even know
I saw a long queue of customers who their customers are. It is difficult
waiting to find out what this new to believe that the people you sell
restaurant had to offer and joined. to, collect revenue from and talk to
After ordering a breakfast of every day of the week might not
African fried eggs with sauce and be your customers.
unripe plantain, I was offered Every business has both a primary
a complimentary cup of tea to and secondary customer. Firms
wash the food down and some must make a conscious decision on
sweets to freshen up my breath as who their primary and secondary
dessert. I stood in awe wondering customers are.
if I was in a canteen in the towers As simple as this question sounds
or in some dreamland like Alice in it is one of the most difficult and
Wonderland. misleading for a business owner to
Permit me to digress a little about answer. When asked the question,
the former restaurateurs who ‘who is your customer’, the usual
had to pack up because they did answer is that we serve a lot
not treat their customers right. of customers and these include:
Actually, they started very well users, influencers, administrators,
but as soon as they established distributors, etc. The problem here is
themselves they started doing so that calling all this group of people
many wrong things which included: customers is very misleading. You
overbilling customers, serving stale must determine who your primary
and tasteless food, exhibiting lack customer is and marketing efforts
of care and empathy, coupled with supply as propounded by Scottish must be geared towards delivering
non-availability of prime dishes at philosopher and Economist Adam distinctive value to them.
the required time. Imagine walking Smith forced them to close shop. This distinction between primary
into a canteen by 1:30 pm on a One of the major reasons why this and secondary customers is very
very busy afternoon and you are once budding business packed up important and critical and must be
told Eba was not ready! was because they treated their taken well ahead of time because

26 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

if there is any conflict or a decision hemorrhaging, ultimately exited new products. Everybody likes to
on resources you must decide which the Personal Computer (PC) market. be listened to.
of your customers takes priority. In the same vein, as an oil and
Companies that have gotten gas company it is very dangerous Identify and Anticipate Needs –
this decision wrong have paid to assume that oil marketers are Customers don’t just buy products
dearly for it. While on the other your primary customers. They are and services. Products are vehicles
hand businesses who have gotten at best, secondary customers as that deliver the intrinsic value that
this decision right enjoy greater they perform a functional role the customer is interested in. For
patronage, customer loyalty and to get your products to your final example, when you go into a shop
increased profit, all things being users or consumers. We all use and buy a Revlon hair relaxer
equal. Instagram, the photo and video what you are buying is beauty and
social sharing service. As a user of not the physical attributes of the
How to determine your Instagram, we all think we are their product. Knowing your customers
Primary Customer customers but in reality we are all helps you to anticipate their needs.
As stated earlier, it is erroneous products and their customers are Communication is the key here.
to just assume that the buyer, those individuals and companies
distributor, supplier, influencer etc that place advertisements on their Make Your Customer Feel Like
are the primary customers of your platform. A VIP – Everybody likes to be
business. In order to ensure that a Having identified who your primary respected and treated right. Have
product or service gets to the final customer is, the next step will be you not noticed how most foreign
consumer some functional jobs need how to treat them right. airline crew members pass positive
to be performed. The production compliments on their customers? The
department must produce, the Treating Your Customers truth of the matter is that they may
distributors must distribute, the Right not necessarily like or love you but
installers must install etc. These It has been established beyond they have been trained to make
functional roles are not the raison reasonable doubt that your you feel like a VIP and it helps in
d’etre of the business. customers are very important to customer loyalty and retention. Be
Whenever you want to decide who your business survival. They are sincere and generate good feelings
your primary customer is, the most the basic reason why businesses around your business. People like
important criterion to consider is, engage in the production of goods to be around a place of good
‘who the end-users of your products and services they are the basic feelings.
and services are or put differently, justification for any business. In
the consumers of your products and other words, you cannot survive Listen to Feedback - Feedback is
services. They are the reason for as a business without a customer, a very powerful mechanism that
whom value is being created and at least you must have one before any serious business must not avoid.
the reason why the market and going into any productive effort. It enables you to know what you
product exist. Below are some of the ways of are doing right and wrong. This
It is important to note that focusing treating your customers right. information can make it possible
on the wrong primary customer can for you to design and redesign your
lead to failure especially when you Listen Attentively – You must spend products and services to suit the
mistakenly think that middlemen are considerable time listening to your taste of your customers. You must
your primary customers. IBM focused customers so as to understand create a system that encourages
on its middlemen (Computerland) what they really need. Emphasis constructive criticism, comments and
and directed all their marketing is to be placed on both verbal suggestions. This can be through
efforts towards satisfying the false and nonverbal communication. oral, written, audio, social media
primary customer until Apple and A danger to avoid is making platforms, etc.
Dell computers came and redefined assumptions about a customer’s
the marketing space by cutting off needs. By listening you can get toLearn to Apologize – In business
middlemen and selling directly to the as in life in general, things are
know the likes and dislikes of your
end-users. Sadly, but as expected bound to go wrong and when they
customers. This can help in product
IBM, which couldn’t survive the modification and the production ofdo, apologize and make amends.
The power of “we are sorry” can
NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 27
unlock tremendous future business the month award, etc. can go a thrive in our ruthless business
opportunities and patronage. Even long way towards boosting the environment. This secret is what
in situations where you can’t do morale of your employees. Treat firms like Apple, Amazon; Berkshire
anything about the issue, please your employees with respect and Hathaway, etc. realized early
show some empathy; it goes a they will treat your customers with and it has contributed significantly
long way to show that you care. respect and vice versa. If you are to their growth, which has made
Customers’ complaints are good lucky to have employees, treat them the corporate behemoths that
feedback for business improvement. them like family members and they have become today. It is also
Please use it. value them like diamonds. important to point out that should
these companies stop caring about
Treat Your Employees And My Final Thought their customers then ultimately the
Stakeholders Right – The way you The business environment is very market forces will lead to their
treat your employees and suppliers competitive and there is a constant stagnation and decline.
is a mirror of how you will treat your struggle between profits and In conclusion, I will like to state
customers. Employees are internal customer satisfaction. Some firms that it is in the business’ interest
stakeholders and must be treated don’t even believe in the cliché to deliver distinctive value to the
right. We are not just talking that the customer is always right. primary customer so as to enable
about monetary gratifications Some can even be unethical and the entity to transform from being
here. Other forms of appreciation cut corners to maximize profit at good to being great. It is an open
like a pat on the back, praise in all costs. However, in the long-run choice.
front of other colleagues, special businesses that place customer
holiday packages, employee of satisfaction above profit always

28 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 29
30 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020
NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 31
 GOLDEN NUGGETS
FROM NOGIG 2020
Aliyu Abubakar shares the spellbinding story of the victorious outing
of particularly, the NNPC soccer team, and by extension, the entire
NNPC sporting contingent at the 18th edition of the Nigerian Oil &
Gas Industry Games in Lagos, including the spine-tingling details of
how he broke his leg three days to the final game.

By Aliyu Abubakar

32 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

 The Captain did Aliyu Abubakar the honour of presenting the much
coveted soccer trophy to the GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari

B
First Things First Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Games and women from only NNPC
efore we take a plunge, (NOGIG) was first staged in 1986, and Mobil Producing Nigeria
let us first put some things as a Squash tournament in Eket, Limited. With a dozen companies
into perspective. According Akwa Ibom State. The participants participating in the 18th edition in
to available records, the then were just a handful sportsmen the last week of February 2020

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 33

 matters most is the participation.
True. But in the case of NOGIG,
the tournament is so competitive
that teams give their all to ensure
they bring glory to their respective
companies.
Shelving Shell to Second
In NOGIG’s 34-year history, Shell
has always been the team to beat
in the tournament, at least for Team
NNPC. Over the years, the Anglo-
Dutch company has always topped
the medals table, winning more gold
medals than any other participating
team in the tournament. Shell’s
dominance of the overall medals
standings has been so obvious that
in the last six editions held within
The final Medal Table, showing NNPC as the overall Champions of this past decade (2010-2020), it
NOGIG 2020 has topped the medals table three
times: 2014, 2016 and 2018,
in Lagos, NOGIG could today be championship, but a formidable leaving the other three to NNPC
better referred to as the Olympics platform for the promotion of and others.
of the Oil & Gas Industry. friendship and camaraderie In 2020 however, NNPC stylishly
Since the maiden tournament 34 amongst the various employees of shelved Shell to second position on
years ago, the biennial event has Nigeria’s most important industry. the medal’s table. But the feat was
grown to become not only a sporting People say in the Olympics, what not without some intense battle.

The NNPC Soccer Team reclaimed their golden trophy by thrashing a youthful DPR Team 2-0.

34 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

Until the last two hours of the closing and losing 2-0 to Chevron, we (DPR), who defeated another
ceremony of the 2020 tournament, could not make it to the Semi Finals oil major, Total, 1-0 in the semi-
Shell was already coasting towards in 2018. Reason? Permutations of final. The DPR Team was one huge
glory with 13 gold, 8 silver and 10 goal difference! revelation of the whole tournament.
bronze medals, while NNPC was So, when we returned in 2020, Though participating for the first
closely behind with 12 gold, 16 it was with the fury of wounded time, they were dispatching their
silver and 19 bronze. However, warriors. Each member of the opponents with professional ease.
NNPC rallied from behind to clinch team had his own share of awful Their major asset was a youthful
the soccer gold, matching Shell’s memories due to what happened side that was full of energy,
13 gold medals, and eventually two years ago. So, we came back stamina and who seemed able to
winning on superior silver (16) and literally baying for blood! it was run like the wind (they recruited
bronze (19) medals. A near photo therefore not surprising that in the fresh graduates just two years
finish, you might say. group stage matches of NOGIG ago). I must admit we were worried
2020, we shoved aside NCDMB about how dangerous they could
Wounded Warriors 3-1 and walloped Chevron 5-0 be against us, but we always knew
I have been part of the NNPC (yeah, I was among the goal we will have an edge.
Football Team since 2008, scorers in that sweet revenge of our So, on the final day, our able
missing out only on the 2014 and 2-0 defeat of 2018 by Chevron). technical crew- Polycarp Nwaofili,
2016 editions. With all sense of Still in another sweet revenge, Suleiman Yahaya and Joseph
modesty, we have won all except we eliminated ExxonMobil, the Aghelegin- drew up a game-plan
the 2014 and 2018 editions. Out defending champion, 2-0 in which was simple: just ambush the
of these two, the most painful one the semi-final match. Mission opponents from the first blast of
remained the 2018 edition when, accomplished? No, just wait, there’s the whistle and never allow them
for the first time in the history of our still one more hurdle to cross. have the ball. We were successful
participation in NOGIG, we could in the first plan but on the second,
not even scrap past the preliminary Dealing with Dangerous DPR we failed woefully! Fortunately,
stage. It still remains a shocker The final match pitched us we triumphed 2-0 at the end. Our
for us all that even after beating against our regulator-friends, the ambush plan was so successful that
NAOC 2-1, thumping NCDMB 7-1 Department of Petroleum Resources we scored in the third minute of the

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and GMD NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari were super
impressed with proceedings at the NOGIG final

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 35

 The NNPC Contingent, here seen on a march past, dethroned Shell to emerge the overall champions at NOGIG 2020
in Lagos.

game via a long throw from our leader, Uyi Charles, which led to was obvious that our experience
Captain Oloton Uyi Charles, which a goal-mouth scramble. We could saved us from the DPR’s dangerous
was smartly converted by a header have scored a third goal via a and youthful side.
from our prolific striker, Abdullahi penalty kick, but Abdullahi Aliyu
Sa’idu. ballooned the ball deep into the Taking One for the Team
The second goal, scored by our stands. In between that, we saw I initially didn’t want to highlight
mercurial midfielder Abdullahi ‘hell’ from the DPR young guns this incident, at the risk of sounding
Aliyu shortly after the second who ran so many rings around us, too selfish. But for reasons of
half, was similar. It also came had a lot of ball possession, but inspiring our younger players who
following yet another rocket throw- were extremely wasteful with their will soon be joining the team, I must
in launched by our Captain and chances. After the final whistle, it

36 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

share this story. Out of passion and pitch in Mosimi, Ogun State! But our team is blessed with
love for the NNPC badge, I had, It was such a devastating players who can always do the job,
since our painful exit in the group experience for me personally, and anytime. On the eve of the final
stages in 2018, longed for the for the team in general. After all the match, our colleagues at the NNPC
opportunity to once again play in medical checks, a radiologist and Medical in Mosimi reunited me with
the final match and take revenge an orthopedic surgeon confirmed my colleagues in Lagos and after
for that shocking loss. But then, fate that I sustained an oblique fracture our team meeting that Friday night,
always decides otherwise. Three of the distal fibula on my left leg the players all promised to win the
days to our final match in Lagos, and will need a period of 6-8 trophy for me. As I have highlighted
I BROKE my leg during a training weeks to be able to walk again. earlier, they kept their promise.
match at the NNPC Staff School Technically, I was out of the final.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 37

My Emotional Moment duo for their patience for waiting, Wunti, who personally supported
Winning the trophy got me so very long, for me to painstakingly the entire football team with some
emotional I had to shed tears of climb up the staircases enroute the beautifully branded “Operation
joy. I had been jumping on one VIP stand to receive the trophy White” kits, arguably one of the
leg as the goals went in during the from the Captain and present it to best sports gear worn by the NNPC
match, forgetting my very fragile the GMD. I will cherish that moment over the years. Aside Management
condition. But nothing beats the forever. motivation, the 2020 NNPC
gesture from our Captain who, after sporting contingent exhibited
the final whistle, informed me that A Touch of TAPE exemplary qualities such as
after receiving the trophy from the There were a bucket-load of discipline, determination, passion,
Honourable Minister of State for lessons from NNPC’s victory as a commitment, team work, hardwork,
Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre soccer team which reclaimed its perseverance, sportsmanship, unity
Sylva, he will hand it back to me gold medal and also, as a sporting of purpose and personal sacrifice.
to present to my boss, the GMD, contingent which dethroned Shell All the team members gave their
Mallam Mele Kyari. It was such a to emerge the overall champions all to the cause in their respective
beautiful gesture from the Captain of NOGIG 2020. The first was the events, while many kept pushing
and indeed the entire team. support of the NNPC Management, to the very end even when it was
I must confess that seeing me represented by a goal-oriented obvious they were the walking
on crutches almost unsettled the team of coordinators, led by wounded. At the end of it all, it
GMD. He had wished to see Mr. Abdulmuminu Aminu-Zaria, all came down to fulfill the many
me somewhere on the pitch, Manager Employee Relations. From expectations of Management for
mesmerizing opponents. But after day one, they made everyone the games as enshrined in its vision
my assurances, he was convinced of us realize that for NNPC of delivering on targets based on
I will soon be back on my feet Management, the only medal that Transparency, Accountability &
walking -and running – again. “It will fly was gold. Performance Excellence (TAPE).
was a minor setback and by God’s Special credit also goes to the Congratulations Team NNPC, the
grace, I will soon be back,” I told Group General Manager of worthy Champions.
the GMD. I must also commend the NAPIMS, MD,PPMC, Mr. Bala

38 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 39
 Protocol Perspective
A Slip Could Wipe out
Good Record of Tested
By Chinedu Achusi
Protocol Professional
chinedu.achusi@nnpcgroup.com

I
have written severally on Respect personal space: This In respecting personal space,
protocol but I want to take it from is one of the key etiquettes. It is apart from cultural consideration,
another angle, which is universal a physical distance between two these factors should be considered
behaviors perspective. people either in social gathering, too – male to male, female
International protocol, from this family or work environment. to, female; male to, female;
behavioral perspective is essential personal relationship and country.
and critical to the survival of any In observing personal space, a
protocol professional. In fact, it will protocol professional must be
help a great deal to keep him out conscious of company’s policies
of danger or ‘the banana peel’ of regarding relationships with co-
protocol quagmire. workers; must not assume much
In practical terms, one slip or a familiarity with one’s seniors or
silly mistake could wipe or rubbish superiors; avoid hugging and other
the good records of a protocol familiar gestures.
professional built over the years.
According to the Dalai Lama, “We Use your full hand to gesture:
humans are social beings. We Most times, in an attempt to explain
come into the word as the result of ourselves, we unwittingly make
others’ actions. We survive here in gestures that depict authority,
dependence on others. Whether arrogance or warning to superiors.
we like it or not, there is hardly a There are about twenty-five hand
moment of our lives when we do not gestures during conversation.
benefit from others’ activities. For Hand gestures assist us during
this reason, it is hardly surprising conversation to drive home our
that most of our happiness arises in points but we must watch it. For
the context of our relationships with instance, the use of open hands with
others”. palms at 45-degree angle could be
In context, the mistakes of a protocol used as a gesture to communicate
professional is always very visible that you know what you are talking
because he is in the frontline. Every about while also sending a signal
viable protocol professional must that you have nothing to hide. This
ensure that fundamental errors are is one of the notably 25 hand
avoided in the discharge of his gestures.
duties.
According to the Protocol School of Pay close attention to
Washington, ten universal behaviors
introductory exchanges: First
can shape the conduct of a protocol Sometimes, because of familiarity impression, they say, matters a lot. A
professional to discharge his duties or closeness to their bosses, some protocol professional must have this
creditably well. people forget to draw the line. etiquette - Protocol of introducing

40 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

people. That is very important proper address of persons is key could be very offensive especially
especially where culture and to the success of this job. A Protocol where we have culture sensitivity.
religion are involved. In addition, Professional should address people
when meeting people for the first Avoid jokes and slangs: It is
time, we should not be overbearing, always advisable to avoid jokes
over expressive, over gesturing or and slangs in official functions. Do
flaunting our position. If a protocol not be carried away by either
professional is called to make an familiarity or over confidence. A
introduction, he should note and put Protocol Professional must always
into practice these rules: introduce be positive in his approach, be
a younger person to an older formal in language and orientation.
person, introduce an employee to Be pleasantly punctual: Time
a customer/guest, introduce a host consciousness is the key. A Protocol
to a guest, introduce a local host to Professional cannot afford to be at
a guest from out-of-town. an event after his boss has arrived.
He must not be caught off-guard. It
Show respect for age: is laughable to hear flimsy excuses
Sometimes, Protocol Professionals such as “flat tyre,” “faulty car”,
are carried away by familiarity “traffic”. There must be allowable
that they see their bosses as mere time for adjustment at any given
colleagues. This is dangerous time. For example, for local trips,
especially when you have bosses a Protocol Professional must be
who conceal their feelings. This at the airport one and half hours
could be forgivable in other climes before departure and three hours
but Africans and indeed Nigerians for international flight.
are respectful people, especially
when it comes to age. We should Develop dinning courtesies:
not allow our position, influence or I have exhaustively dealt with
experience to neglect or undermine dinning etiquette in my previous
age. It could be a costly mistake. articles, some of them could suffice
here. Some basic “don’ts” include –
Dress conservatively and overloading of plates, wrong use
respectfully: One of the rules of cutleries, chewing with mouth
of power is “do not outshine your open, smacking of lips, touching
boss”. This is very important. the head at the table, blowing
Some people dress to impress by on food, picking of teeth at the
wearing expensive designers’ items table, gesturing with cutleries,
and flaunting them as well. This is and smoking during meal amongst
a suicide mission. Imagine a female others.
Protocol Professional showing off
so much jewelries and vulture-like Use conversational finesse
nails including revealing clothes (avoid these topics: crime,
during official functions! Dressing religion, politics, personal). A
moderately sends a message of Protocol Personnel should deal with
purity and honour. a situation or a person in a skillful
and often in a subdued way – play
Prioritize the use of last down intellect. We should not be
names: This behavioral act is properly. For example – “Hello tempted to impress people as all
very important and be adhered to Mrs. Achusi, I am pleased to meet knowing thereby offending their
religiously. What it means is that you” instead of the first name. It sensibilities.

NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 41

 Chika's Diary
Change at the Speed
of Light – COVID-19 and
Digitisation
By Chika Umeh chika.umeh@nnpcgroup.com

H
istorically, change has memos showing why such a policy of the work week, realizing that
always been a slow would be premature and doomed there was no need for physical
process. Aversion to to fail. While in the western world,
presence in order for collaboration
change or change apathy companies had for some time, to take place, and recognizing the
has been the reality of every opportunities for a reduction in
change process and the bane of overhead provided by a HR policy
change managers from the dawn that encouraged remote working,
of time. it had always been assumed
But what happens when the choice that Nigeria was decades, if not
is taken from us? When an external centuries, away from such an
factor forces change on a system arrangement.
and its people? However, Covid-19 happened and
Well, some have said that such a time suddenly, the understanding of
is upon us today. Researchers have what is possible had to undergo a
said that the coronavirus pandemic drastic transformation.
will change the way we do business In truth, the workplace disruption
forever. As employees have been caused by the coronavirus
forced to work from home, and pandemic cannot be ignored and
consumers are increasingly wary of any CEO that wishes to ensure
face to face services, the business survival of their industry with and
world has experienced a drastic post COVID-19 has already begun
and lasting transformation. to articulate and implement policies
Furthermore, giving the global that would see a sustained move
nature of the pandemic, the need for towards a digital workplace.
a rapid, nay, almost instantaneous However, certain organizations
adoption of IT tools, as the would experience a tougher time
only means of ensuring business of it than others. And one of most
continuity is felt equally by all, significant factors to consider when
regardless of each society’s level projecting ease of adoption of a
of penetration and acceptance of digital working environment is the
digitization pre COVID-19. demography of the workforce.
In Nigeria for instance, especially Apart from the natural tendency
in the public sector, if managers for younger people to adapt to
were asked in January 2020 to change more readily, being less set
implement a policy which would in their ways for the simple reason
see 90% of meetings being held recognized the benefits of having of not having spent as much time in
virtually, the response would have a part of the work force work from those ways as an older generation,
been some very well-articulated home at least for a percentage the very nature of the change being

42 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

 sector might likely experience the
greatest challenge when it comes
to adopting digitisation.
To explain, let us consider an
imaginary Yoruba family that
emigrates to China. We will call
them the Obasanjos. Ma and Pa
Obasanjo will seek every avenue to
speak Yoruba and will likely resist
efforts by their children to speak
Chinese in the home. For them, the
new language should be spoken
only when unavoidable i.e. when
interacting with people who do not
understand Yoruba. Two factors
are responsible for this. First off,
Ma and Pa Obasanjo cannot speak
Mandarin with any degree of
fluency and can most comfortably
communicate in Yoruba; secondly,
they feel a sense of nostalgia for
called for -digitisation- makes it born before. the past and would yearn to hang
easier for a younger workforce to For some experts, however, the term on to “the good old days” and their
adopt. “digital immigrant” does not do sense of home for as long as they
Marc Prensky, an internationally enough to describe another group can. On the other hand, Kehinde
acclaimed thought leader, came of people-those who seem to have and Tolu who were born in Lagos
up with the terms “digital native” a phobia for digital technology. before the move, quickly learn
and “digital immigrant” to explain They don’t know the “language”, Mandarin by interacting with their
the reason for the challenge faced they don’t want to learn the friends and schoolmates and are
by educators in trying to teach the “language”, and so they spend a soon fluent in both languages and
new generation of learners using lot of effort actively avoiding new comfortable speaking either. They
the methods they themselves were technology and canvassing support experience little resistance to the
thought with while in school. In his for their “the old way was better change. However, for little Omolola
article “Digital Natives, Digital and safer” mindset. And so a new who was born in China, Mandarin
Immigrants” published in 2001, Mr. term was coined – digital foreigner. is her first language i.e. she is a
Prensky described the generation While these ideas were introduced native speaker. For her, Yoruba is
who “have spent their entire lives to explain challenges in the the foreign language.
surrounded by and using computers, educational environment, they Digital foreigners are like the
videogames, digital music players, also explain those experienced in parents in this illustration. They
video cams, cell phones, and all the the workplace. In most companies, have a mental understanding and
other toys and tools of the digital except maybe in a few very new appreciation of the necessity for
age” as digital natives i.e. native businesses, the demography of the digitisation just as the immigrant
speakers of the digital language, workforce is mixed, with varying parents know that they need to
while digital immigrants will distributions of digital natives, learn Chinese. However, in their
encompass anyone born before this digital immigrants and some digital hearts, they retain an aversion to
time, who has needed to learn and foreigners. In the Nigerian public digital technology and will find
adopt these tools , with varying sector, for instance, the workforce every way to circumvent them,
levels of success, later in life. In is heavily skewed towards an older insisting that they cannot be trusted
most societies, digital natives will demographic i.e. digital immigrants and are unsafe. The challenge is
be anyone born after the 1980’s and digital foreigners. It therefore that due to year of birth being a
and digital immigrants will be those stands to reason that the public factor, these people are more likely
to be found in the management
NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 43
cadre, as they are the older and the 1980’s, these are likely to still be different worlds inhabited by them
most experienced people in most senior officers in most organisations and their bosses.
organisations. in the public sector giving the slow For the necessary digitization of
Digital immigrants on the other and structured rise to management the workplace to happen, these
hand, wholeheartedly adopt the cadre in this sector. They are two worlds need to meet. As in any
digitization. Though they may therefore, the group least likely multi-cultural situation, each group
be of the same age as digital to be in a position to formulate or must recognize the strengths of the
foreigners, in behaviour, they are drive adoption of policy. However, other. The digital foreigner must
like the children born in Lagos they are the ones for whom a quickly become an “immigrant”
who subsequently emigrated to digital environment is their default because really, there is no choice.
China and, despite having Yoruba setting. They have never seen The digital immigrant on the other
as their mother tongue, are quick the need for hardcopy and may hand needs to accept that the
to embrace the new language. have never set foot in a physical native is not lazy, he has simply
Nevertheless, digital immigrants library. For them, google is the been raised in a different world,
will retain roots in their “native” non go-to source of information. They a world that has fundamentally
digital language, an “accent” as it stare in frustration at filing cabinets changed the way his brain functions.
were. For instance, this group may wondering how to find anything And finally, the digital native needs
be active on social media and utilize without a search function. In their to realize that neither the digital
tools such as electronic banking. hypertext existence, information foreigner nor the immigrant is less
However, they will still rather print should always be retrievable in intelligent than a native, they are
out a document that needs review seconds, nanoseconds if possible. just from different cultures. The
than use the review feature of MS For this group, the workplace is no technologies that are an integral
Word- they will always be more longer a place; with the mobility part of the native’s life were made
at ease with hard copy than soft offered by cloud storage and possible by the immigrant, they
copy even though they are able to the ability to sync devices, digital built the foundation on which the
use either efficiently. This group of natives work anywhere, any time, digital era was formed. By working
people will mostly be in top and and on any device. When asked together, natives and immigrants
middle management positions in to Work From Home, because in the digital world can forge a
many organisations. of COVID-19, digital natives brighter and more profitable future
On the other hand, the experienced the least disruptions, in for all. And this is the time for such
demography most at home with a fact they had never believed in the a collaboration.
digital workplace are the younger necessity to be physically present
workforce. Given that digital in the workplace, and accepted it
natives were born late in or after only as another symptom of the

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NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020 45
 “It’s no longer about
business now, but a reputational issue.
For the original builders of the refinery,
Tecnimont, Eni/NAOC and NNPC,
let us be conscious of the fact that our
reputation is at stake as far as this project
is concerned. The NNPC leadership has
promised this country that our refineries
will work, therefore, we must work not
to disappoint over 200million Nigerian
stakeholders”.
-Mallam Mele Kyari,
Group Managing Director,
NNPC

Africaoilandpower.com

46 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020

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48 NNPC QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Q1//2020