NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SUMMIT (NIES) – MINISTERIAL WELCOME DINNER
Remarks from Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, OFR (Chairman, IPPG)
Your Excellencies, Captains of Industry, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen. Kindly permit me to stand on already established protocols for the evening.
1. On behalf of IPPG, it is with great pleasure to once again deliver this Sponsor’s remark at the Ministerial Welcome dinner of the 8th Edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES). IPPG is deeply honoured to be a part of this year’s summit as the Premium Partner. For this, we extend our profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
2. Let me also take this opportunity to welcome you all this evening, particularly our foreign dignitaries and partners who have made the journey to be present here with us in Abuja. I especially welcome the OPEC Secretary General, H.E. Haitham Al Ghais and the Secretary General of African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Omar Ibrahim. I also would like to acknowledge the presence of the Chairman, OPEC Board of Governors, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, who also happens to be a Trustee of IPPG and its Pioneer Chairman.
3. Notwithstanding the informal and relaxing atmosphere, this Welcome Dinner provides a great platform to exchange ideas and co-create solutions to some of the key challenges facing our industry. It also sets the tone for what promises to be another exciting and impactful Summit with meaningful conversations and forged collaborations capable of shaping Africa’s energy future.
4. At last year’s Sponsor’s Dinner, IPPG strongly advocated for the siting of the Africa Energy Bank’s (AEB) Headquarters in Nigeria. That plea has become a reality today and I would like to once again specially recognise the efforts of the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who passionately and tirelessly championed this cause. I equally extend our appreciation to APPO and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for the laudable initiative of establishing the Africa Energy Bank. This establishment of the AEB is a victory for the entire continent and symbolises our collective effort to build a prosperous and sustainable energy future for Africa. This will enable the continent look inward and deepen collaboration in charting a course for meeting its energy needs. We eagerly look forward to the formal take-off of the bank later this year.
5. This year’s Summit is holding at a very momentous period for the Nigeria oil and gas industry. The ongoing industry reforms embarked by the Government continues to gather momentum and are delivering tangible results. Most notably, the conclusion of the IOC divestments, a worthy achievement marking a defining moment for the industry and nation. Nigerian independents now dominate the prolific onshore and shallow water acreages, with a significant increase in their contributions to the nation’s crude oil and production. For IPPG, this transformational shift represents a promising future and an emerging role for the Group.
New Logo Unveiling
6. It is on that note that this new beginning, a pivotal moment of our journey, coincides with the unveiling of our new logo in the presence of our distinguished guests this evening. Since our establishment about a decade ago, IPPG has been committed to the renaissance and advancement of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Our new logo is a testament to this mandate and a reflection of our re-dedicated commitment to the industry and Nigeria underpinned by our desire to create an industry that is a source of national pride, enhancing our global image and relevance. It is therefore my utmost pleasure to unveil this new logo as we look forward to the path ahead and collaborating for Energy Prosperity.
7. Let me conclude by thanking the organizers for putting together this Welcome Dinner. Please enjoy every bit of the evening. Bon Appetite and thank you for your attention.
Abdulrazaq Isa OFR Chairman,
IPPG
Abuja, 24 th February 2025
