Stakeholders in the energy sector were tasked earlier today to make enduring contributions towards Nigeria’s energy challenges.
This call was made by the Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr Bala Wunti who was the guest speaker at the Maiden Annual Lecture/Roundtable in honour of Dr Diran Fawibe, Chairman of International Energy Services Limited (IESL).
Mr Bala Wunti, while presenting his keynote address, enjoined guests present to emulate the role played by Dr Fawibe in the industry; highlighting his commitment towards reshaping the future of young Nigerians, helping them to enhance their skills and growing to become competent professionals. “The future is now. Broaden your competence to sharpen your confidence and unleash your courage,” Wunti said.
Mr Wunti also spoke on the role of institutions and their importance in mentorship; while proposing the ned for collaboration between academics, policymakers and the public to enhance the potential benefits of such collaboration derived from the energy sector.
Fawibe, the Chairman of IESL, stressed the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications. According to him, “We want the university to serve as an integrator for the development of technology in the country. Research shouldn’t be for the sake of research, but we should see the results.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was represented by his Executive Assistant on Administration, Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe, promised to leverage power supply to unlock economic growth and empower the youth population in the state.
He stated that the state recognised the crucial role that energy plays in driving progress and would capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Electricity Act 2023, signed into law by the Federal Government recently, to provide avenues for resource exploration and the establishment of thriving industries in the state.
Makinde added that the state government would take advantage of the regulatory framework and explore the untapped potentials of various energy resources, saying by doing so, the state aimed to establish industries that will not only boost economic growth, but also create employment opportunities for the youth.
Vice Chancellor, UI, Prof Adebowale, who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Aderonke Bayeroju, stressed the need to unlock the potentials of interdisciplinary collaborations. He urged stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to leverage their collective wisdom and expertise to drive national development.
“Together, we can forge a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and abundant. We should also reflect collective energy, which requires innovative thinking for positive impact, leading to success and economic growth,” Adebowale said.
The Managing Director of IESL, Engr. Bayo Ige, urged Nigerians, despite the failure of policies by past administrations, to give the administration of President Bola Tinubu the support to transform the sector and see how well the administration’s policies go.
“The government should focus more on production of oil and gas because we have not done any major project. When you have oil and gas, what you do is, establish more projects to back it up”
The Inaugural lecture series, with the theme: ‘Shaping the Future, Building Legends’, was organised by International Energy Services Limited (IESL) and the University of Ibadan Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL).
