ANAC takes OTC.06 by Storm Houston, TX – May 2nd – 4th, 2006 –
All Nigeria American Congress (ANAC) sent a powerful contingent to this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC.06) in Houston, Texas. The ANAC delegation was led by the President, Chief Temitope Ajayi, and the Chairman of the Power & Energy Committee Hon. Colin I. Atobajeun. Also in attendance at the conference were the Secretary of the committee Hon. Dr. Mohammed Aruna, and committee member Hon. John Mgbere. Nigeria made those of us in Diaspora proud, with an elaborate pavilion highlighting the indigenous businesses in the Oil & Gas space. Also in attendance at the conference was a large delegation from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigerian House of Assembly’s and the Office of the Presidency.
Through immense networking and personal contacts, ANAC was able to secure private meetings at the very senior level of the aforementioned organizations representing Nigeria. Among the various private sessions we attended, Chief Ajayi was able to attend a tour scheduled for the Nigerian delegation to visit The DOW Chemical Company’s Houston, TX plant. While there she was able to secure a commitment of internships for our youth, and commitments to employ qualified candidates from the Nigerian community in Diaspora that apply. Hon. Atobajeun & Dr. Aruna were able to meet with various NNPC representatives, including but not limited to the Managing Director himself Engineer Kupolokun. Committee Secretary, Hon. Dr. Aruna is a former senior executive at NNPC and the former Special Advisor on Oil Matters to Governor Ogbemudia of the old Bendel State.
Former Governor Ogbemudia who was also present at OTC.06 is the Chairman of Petroleum Produce Marketing Company (PPMC). The Power & Energy committee was also able to sit down with Hon. Yusuf Dikko and Hon. Nuhu Bobbo-Guri, members of the Federal House of Representatives, Oil & Gas committee. We were able to secure a commitment from the representatives that, when we are in Abuja for our Fall congressional session, we will hold a joint-session between the ANAC Power & Energy committee and the House’s Oil & Gas committee to “meet and greet” and also to secure advocacy commitment for bills that we send to the House for support. To further our direction in alternative energies, Hon. Atobajeun and Hon. Dr. Aruna sat down with the Brazilian delegation to discuss Ethanol in detail and establish how it is being applied in their economy. We were informed of the Brazilian approach to alternative energies and what economic drivers helps guide their fuel versus agriculture decisions as it pertains to sugarcane, Brazil’s source of ethanol.
To culminate our visit, a private meeting was held between the ANAC delegation and the Special Advisor to the President on Energy, Prof. A. O. Adegbulugbe. All aspects of Nigeria’s energy needs were discussed and how we in Diaspora can help with our brain-power and finances to bring Nigeria to its rightful place on the international platform. We were informed that the goal of the Presidency is to make Nigeria the #1 producer of cassava based ethanol in the world. There was also a commitment of an audience when we get to Abuja. Among the many dignitaries representing Nigeria that the ANAC delegation was able to meet were, Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, Chairman, Committee on Gas, Dr. Onalapo Soleye, Director, NNPC, Hadjia Ammuna Lawan Ali, Permenant Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Ja’afaru Aliu Paki, Special
Assistant to the President on Petroleum Matters, Dr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chairman, Presidency Petroleum Product Pricing, Regulating Agency, Chief Solomon Aguele, Chairman Board of Directors, Nigerian Gas Company, Ltd, Alhaji Sule, Managing Director African Petroleum, Alhaji Maigagi, Acting Managing Directorv African Petroleum, A. B. Solarin, NNPC Group General Manager for Corporate Audit, among other NNPC Directors. These dignitaries were all very receptive to our meetings and listened to all the issues that ANAC has as it pertains to Oil & Gas sector. To a person, they encouraged ANAC members to get into the Oil & Gas business, and also mentioned that we should look to partner with established foreign corporations that can come to Nigeria to invest in our burgeoning Oil & Gas industry. It was also suggested that ANAC members should participate in future OTC’s by exhibiting their goods and services that relate to the industry. By invitation, Chief Ajayi spoke with Dr. Bola Ogunriade, the Special Assistant to President on Nigerian Diaspora issues. They were able to discuss how the Nigerian government and ANAC can work together to aid in the development of science among our youth in Nigeria, and help provide the equipment needed to facilitate their growth in the engineering discipline. As we walked around the exhibition floor you would hear echo’s of “Madam Diaspora”, that was Chief Ajayi they were referring to, ANAC made a great impression on the Nigerian delegation and they were very happy to see that those of us in Diaspora and within ANAC specifically, are out there willing to help our brethren both here in America and at home.
End of Release
About All Nigeria American Congress (ANAC)
All Nigeria American Congress (ANAC) under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Dan Austin, is a conglomerate organization of all Nigerian organizations and related peoples of Nigerian decent on the American continent, with affiliates around the world. Benefits of membership include: Legal service support for immigration and legal related matters, Assistance in contacting your congressman in relation to issues concerning you in the US, Development of educational programs for members' families in the US, Planning and implementing retirement communities for members in the US and Nigeria, Develop health care programs for members in the US and Nigeria, Promotes economic and commercial development of companies here in the US and Nigeria, Development of community and recreational centers for cultural events and promotions of identity of the organization, Support development of democracy on behalf of members as they aspire to political office in the US and Nigeria.
For more information about ANAC http://www.anacweb.org About ANAC Power & Energy Committee ANAC Power & Energy Committee under the Chairmanship of Hon. Colin I. Atobajeun, formulates resolutions, bills, and plans relating to science of energy use and sources of such energy. Harness and foster technological development; and knowledge of energy products, alternatives, advancement of all types of energy as in oil, gas, electricity, hydro, solar, and all other forms of energy. Seek to further such technological knowledge among its members, financing of such development, cutting edge programs to boost development in corporate and production level of such among its members. Seek to engage its members and find resources from organizations, countries of ANAC members, and assist members in developing business and commerce use of energy technology; to promote ANAC goals and development of [said technologies]. For more information about the Power & Energy Committee please email: eanac@yahoogroups.com
