…Russia-Ukraine war exposes hypocrisy of the developed world on fossil fuel.
–Olufunke Afolami
Centre for Petroleum Information (CPI), Nigeria’s revered energy associations celebrated its 25 years of existence with book launch.
The book launch attracted experts in the energy industry who converged to celebrate the efforts of the association in the past twenty-five years especially on the aspect of advocacy, training and information concerning the energy sector deliberating on salient thought provoking issues.
Pioneer Board Chairman of CPI, Chief Chambers Oyibo described the event as not just an anniversary celebration; it is a book presentation and the third book published by the CPI which is an incredible feat.
The former Board Chairman of CPI in his welcome address said, 25 years ago since the formation of CPI, it can be proud of its achievements.
Continuing, he said the Secretary of CPI, Victor Eromosele, has been the engine room of the Centre.
Chief Oyibo, who was also an erstwhile Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), asserted that 25 years ago, the face of the industry has changed substantially in Nigeria.
Nigerian indigenous companies that were hardly known are now the major players. Seplat Energy bought over ExxonMobil and Renaissance took over Shell, things have really changed.
He recalled when he joined Texaco in 1966 in Port Harcourt and the oil company was not known because Shell was the only face of the industry then.
Chief Oyibo thanked Shell for improving the oil industry in Nigeria and the development of new companies headed by ex-shell workers.
What has been learnt in the past five years?
“We’ve learnt the hypocrisy of the developed world, they told us fossil fuel is no more and nobody should touch it.”
When Russia invaded Ukraine, everything changed. The countries who said fossil fuel should not be touched resorted to coal to provide energy. Development doesn’t depend on what the world thinks, Chief Oyibo added.
“What we have learnt is to put Nigeria first, use our resources for the development of our country”
“Let us produce oil and gas and use it for development of the country’s economy like other countries have done.
Now that Nigerians have substantially taken over, they are going to operate it efficiently taking account of environmental issues.”
Chief Oyibo appealed to regulators and regulations in the industry which must be driven by larger goals of national development enhancing inflow of international capital to the sector not maximizing narrow interest.
Regulators business is not to collect revenue, but help to develop the country’s economy.
He said CPI in the last 25 years has been at the forefront of advocacy for development of Nigeria’s resources in a sustainable and efficient way.
“We must invest massively in the development of human capital that has been greatly eroded. CPI promises to continue this effort and for this 25 years anniversary, it has come with a massive new publication. It first launched the energy insight.”
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