Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi for Governor of Edo State 2016.

Engr. (Dr.) Chris Ogiemwonyi

With over 30 years of work experience in the oil and gas industry. Chris Ogiemwonyi is a graduate of the University of Benin. He bagged a B.Sc. (Hons) Applied Physics option in Electronics in 1974 and post graduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering in 1976 from the University of Ibadan through an in-service programme.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Doctor of Science, Ph.D (Honoris Causa) 2008
Doctor of Engineering, Ph.D (Honoris Causa) 2007
Post graduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering 1976
B.Sc. (Hons) Applied Physics 1974
WASC 1969

PROFESSIONAL PROGRESSION

President May 2011 – Till Date
Energy and Engineering Technology Consulting an Energy Consulting Group

Minister of State, Works. Apr 2010 – May 2011
Federal Ministry Of Works, Abuja

President Sept 2009 – Apr 2010
Energy Strategy Centre (Esc) Abuja, an Energy Consulting Group

Group Executive Director Sept 2007 – Apr 2009
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( Exploration & Production Directorate)
As Group Executive Director (GED) Exploration and Production, Engr. Ogiemwonyi was in charge of seven NNPC Companies and Subsidiaries which included National Petroleum Investment Management Services NAPIMS), Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), LNG & Power Division, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Crude Oil, Marketing Division and Local Content Division. 

Managing Director March 2005 – Sept 2007 Nigerian Gas Company Limited Warri
In March 2005, he was reassigned to National Gas Company Limited as Managing Director. His focus was to increase gas supply to major customers like; PHCN, SNG, GSLINK, WAPCO, SHAGAMU, and EWEKORO, NOTORE FERTILIZER PH,OBAJANA CEMENT COMPANY etc NGC is coordinating 130mmscf/d gas supply (WAGP – West Africa gas Supply Project) to Benin, Togo, Ghana and hopefully to Ivory Coast.
TSGP – Trans- Sahara Gas Project, the 2 billion scf/d supply from Nigeria through Algeria to Europe was another portfolio under his supervision as NGC’s helmsman.
A technocrat per excellent, he has attended several Local and International courses. A product of the Harvard Business School

Managing Director Nov 2003 – Mar 2005
National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Benin- City
In November, 2003, he was reassigned to NPDC as Managing Director and his effort showed quickly in increasing NPDC production from 20,000 bopd to 70,000bopd. He served as chairman, Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) of Okono/Okpho Development Project, a strategic alliance between NPDC and Agip Energy Limited (AENR). He also served as Chairman, PMC of OMLs 64 and 66 Project, another strategic alliance between NPDC and SINOPEC of China.

General Manager 1999 – Nov 2003
National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS)
In 1999, he was promoted general Manager, Operations and moved to National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS)to oversee the Operations Division. He midwife various projects especially the Local content initiative of the Federal Government. By dint of hard work, he was appointed the Group General Manager, NAPIMS in 2001. As GGM NAPIMS, he overlooked the whole industry including the Joint Ventures (JV) and the Production Sharing Companies (PSCs)
While in NAPIMS, served as Chairman, Nigeria OTC Committee for 2033 and 2004. Between 1999-2003, he midwifed key projects including EA field, Erha field, Bonga field. Agbami field amongst others. Also, NAPIMS achieved zero cash call arrears by October, 2003. As GGM NAPIMS, the Oil Industry was encouraged on joint utilization of assets such as offshore swamp rigs.

Engr. Ogiemwonyi is well noted for his achievements while in NAPIMS

Project Leader (Petroleum Engineer) 1988 - 1999
Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Benin City 

Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC),was in corporate in 1988 and one of its objectives was to compete as an indigenous Oil and Gas producing Company. NPDC was assigned four acreages including OML – 65 containing Abura Field then producing at 980 bopd.
He championed the takeover of this asset. Kept an up-to-date reserves position of the new Company. Served as the Abura Field Project Leader, this was a takeover asset from defunct TENNECO. He raised the production level from 980 bopd to over 4,000 bopd in 1990. In 1992 served as Oredo Field Project Leader. This was a Greenfield project that involved KELT ENERGY,UK and IP CONSTRUCTION, Calgary. The project was an engineering, procurement, construction as well as operations of 10,000 bopd early production facility and is today being expanded to now process 30mmscf/d.
He also served as Oziengbe field Leader. This is another 10,000 bopd EPC facility at Oziengbe field.

Project Leader (Petroleum Engineer) 1982 - 1988
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(Exploration & Exploitation Division)
Between 1982 and 1988, he worked in the Exploration & Exploitation (E&E) Division of NNPC and in 1985 transferred to the National Reserves Evaluation Project Leader. As Project Leader, coordinated all efforts in Dallas, USA in establishing a strong data Base for the Oil and gas Industry.
However, in 1988, he was moves back to the Exploration Division of the Exploration& Exploitation (E&E) as Head, Petroleum Engineering Department Company to nurture the newly created Petroleum Engineering Department.

Petroleum Engineer II 
1975 – 1982 Ministry Of Petroleum Resources 
He began his career as a Petroleum Engineer 11 in 1975 with the Conservation Department and in February, 1977 was seconded to SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Company) Warri. This secondment was enriched by a four and half month Advance Petroleum Engineering Programme in SPDC Training Centre in the Hague, Netherlands.

Between 1978 through 1982, he worked in various departments of Petroleum Resources including the then newly created gas Department.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
He served on the board of PHCN, former council member of PTI, Warri and Chairman, N-Gas. Also a former Director NETCODIETSMANN, one time Board member of Nigermed, served as member, Presidential Committee on IPP development for Niger Delta, served as a member of the NNPC Corporate Board and Chairman of Hyson/Calson JV. He was also a member of the Presidential Committee on accelerated Expansion of Electricity Infrastructure.

Chris Ogiemwonyi belongs to many professional bodies including the society of Petroleum Engineers, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former President of the Nigeria Gas association.
A recipient of the Justice of Peace (JP) by Edo State Government and Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award, Patron to several bodies including NANS – National Association of Nigerian Students, ACNPN – Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria etc.

Engr. Chris Osa Ogiemwonyi is married and blessed with children.

South African investors plan ethanol refinery in Edo

Victor Oshioke

South African investors plan ethanol refinery in Edo

South African investors have indicated interest to set up an ethanol refinery in Edo State and turn the state into the China of Africa. Executive Chairman of Industrial Development Holding, South Africa, Mr. Mxolesi Mbetse made the disclosure when he paid Governor Adams Oshiomhole a courtesy visit at the Government House, today.

He said: “What we want to do in Edo State is that in the next five to ten years we want to completely eliminate the importation of palm oil. We want to ensure that Nigeria becomes the next exporter of not only palm oil, sugar but also ethanol. I was in Brazil and was amazed at the way they used technology to produce ethanol where today Brazil produces billions of ethanol”.

Mr. Mbetse told the Governor that from his reliable findings, Edo State was well-endowed with abundant Agriculture and Natural Resources that could sustain industrialization and industrial growth, not only in the state and the geo-political zone but the entire country.

According to him, the state’s raw material potentialities and the infrastructure already put in place by the government attracted his business conglomerate to come and cite a refinery that would produce and process ethanol using palm-oil and sugar-cane. He said the large availability of raw materials coupled with the state’s ready manpower would further enhance the industrial base of the state and its output.

Mbetse said further: “When you look at the issue of agriculture and how important it is to Nigeria and the strategic nature of Edo State, it becomes very necessary that all hands must be put on deck to improve the lives of the people. What we need to do is to, within a foreseeable future, use renewable energy and ethanol is the most important component of this renewable energy.

“There is no other place to do that than Edo State when you look at the infrastructure that the government has done. The strategic importance of Edo gives me hope that when I look at Edo it is the right place to put up this investment in terms of where you can produce what to be consumed.

“In terms of where to produce enough sugar, palm oil to be consumed locally, Nigeria is a place to be. You don’t have to go to India or China. Nigeria is our China. It is not just to produce sugar and export it to China. We have to produce and refine”, he said.

He explained that he has not come to seek financial assistance rather his company has come to solicit the Edo State Government’s support for their investment in the state.

Responding, Governor Oshiomhole said the state government was clear on its plan to improve the GDP of people in the state, saying putting infrastructure in place without attracting the right investors would yield very little.

“We are clear that our responsibility is to encourage business that are pro-people that give the people a sense of ownership. Agriculture offers us a unique opportunity to a make a difference”, he added.

Mr Mxolisi Mbetse, Chairman, Industrial Development Group Holdings, South Africa and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo Stat during the former's visit to the Governor in Benin City, today

Edo PDP shuns Tambuwal in Benin

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) yesterday shunned  the Speaker of the House of Representatives,   Aminu Waziri  Tambuwal  at the palace of the  Oba of Benin Omo N’ Oba Erediuawa  in Benin.

Both the PDP members and Hon Tambuwal were in the palace of the Oba to condole him  over  the death of his wife,   Queen Oloi Esther  who has  passed on.
The PDP led by the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih    got to the palace first and were waiting for the Oba   when   Hon. Tambuwal came in with his delegation. His team comprised mainly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the House of Representatives from the state.
After seeing the Oba, the Speaker was whisked away into his waiting car as other dignitaries tried to exchange pleasantries with him except members of his party the PDP.
Asked why the party shunned the Speaker Orbih said he didn’t notify the party officially that he was visiting the state.   After the palace visit, Hon.  Tambuwal went also visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

My people, what is the way forward. please write your comments below.

Edobor Alohan

The “Agberonization” Of Most Young Men In Benin.

Edo State Today, Benin City is a bustling metropolitan city experiencing population explosion as people from every part of Nigeria migrate to the city to work and do business. Unarguably, the Edo people are the most welcoming and least tribalistic people in Nigeria. In Benin, your next door neighbor (tenant or landlord) is mostly like a non-Benin speaking person. The question now is what are the Benin people up to in their land? Every time I visit Benin City, I attempt to engage the locals to feel their vibes and hear their stories. For one month (December 2013 to January 2014), I went out on the street of Benin to see how the locals live and also engage them in conversation. Before I proceed, let me state that the opinions I express here are purely based on my personal observations and the discussions I had with several people over a one month period in Benin City. The opinions are not to be viewed with tribal prism but with concern for the future of Benin people, especially young Benin males. My first observation was that... Any bank I entered in Benin, I heard more of other languages spoken than Edo language. To know if my observation was right, I decided to ask questions. Several bankers told me that the reason for that is because most of the banks post their senior management from Lagos. As a result, the senior managers tend to bring along their “own people” to fill the different positions within the bank. Ok now, that explains why there are few Benins running the banks in every nook and cranny of the city! At First Bank, one of the Benin staff told me “otemwen it is all over, even UNIBEN (University of Benin), you hardly see Benin people in key positions there”. To confirm that statement, I asked locals around on the street. They confirmed that if not for the new VC (one Professor Oshodi), who happens to be the first Benin man to hold that position, the Benins were nowhere to be found! The bank observation sparked my curiosity. I decided to research if the Benins were running the “big businesses” in the city. From my “informal and unscientific” research, I found out that non-indigenes are running the large capital intensive businesses. A Benin person angrily told me that “Benin boys are busy with Cultism and Agberos and the women are satisfied with selling kola nut/Bulle/bread rather than thinking of running big business”. Shaking his head rather sympathetically, “bros, more than 20 boys fall (meaning died) this December period alone for this Benin oo because of cult matter. Because of fear, most boys run commot for area na. You no see as the Christmas dey boring?” he lamented. I wanted to know if the “Agbero” comment was true. Viola!! All the public transportation parks and stops I visited, almost everyone wearing “EDWS”, “RTEAN”and other “Agbero” uniforms (as some described it) were young Benin males. Unlike in the banks and key business centers, EDWS personnel I greeted in Benin language around the parks/bus stops, responded in pristine Edo language. Looking like mercenaries, they walked around these public transport parks and stops with sticks and “koboko” collecting so-called “revenues” from the helpless intimidated cab drivers. What could have driven so many young Benin males to become “Agbero”, I imagined. Again, I took the question to the street. I was told that the young men, especially in the area called “Ogbe” in Benin City, saw the rise to fame and wealth of one “Bob Izua”, who many considered to be Agbero. Also recently, I learned that one “Osakpamwan” (aka no-more-less), also described as an “Agbero” became outrageously wealthy over night because he was contracted by the Edo State Government to run the public transportation park services. “So it is a legitimate service then since it was constituted and signed by the governor”, I asked a local. Looking at me quizzically, he said, “my brother, Oshiomhole has no one respect for Benin boys ooo. It is only Agbero jobs he dey give them so he can have peace in the city. If you be graduate or learned person for this town, you will not get a job. But once you become Agbero and start maiming and killing people, they will make you a millionaire over night. Na the society wey we dey be that my brother.” It is shameful and sad that we have produced a generation of young people who feel that without violence, machete and guns their voice will not be heard and they cannot make a living. It is high time Edo State Government and Local Government leaders, Benin traditional leaders, parents and all concerned Benin people home and abroad started to address these matters. If not, I fear for the future of Benin people! God bless Edo State and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By Paul Omoruyi Blog (www.diasporascope.com)

My response to Comrade Enabulele post on workers salary.

He works for you 8 hours a day making 40 hours a week amounting to 160 hours a month...and you pay him N10,000

Dude, you are paying the man a ridiculous and wicked 62 naira 50 kobo per hour!

It is either you are selfish, stingy, running your business at a lost or you have not thought of it because this is slavery. There is no other befitting word to describe it

‪#‎Eseoghene_Al‬ -Faruq Ohwojeheri

My response

Sometimes too most of these companies do not make as much as N10,000 net profit in a month. That is after deducting, rent, NEPA, transport, phone calls and feeding and other expenses. I think we should concentrate on the reduction of prices of goods. That is slowing down inflation rate. For example, if we equate one naira to the dollar and say that all present cost of goods should be divided by N173 to get at the new price. The worker who takes home N10,000 a month will be able to buy much and  save. This was  what Soludo was proposing before the cabal kicked him out. There was a time when grade level 04 was N96.00 many of us then who were sch cert were still able to buy Thermocool refrigerators for N35.00 and Tatung black and white 14 inches television for N11.00. It is that cost of living that is eating up the salaries.

The ban on Okada in Edo State may have come to stay.

BREAKING NEWS: The Federal High Court today dismiss the law suit instituted by Charles Apiloko and Osbert Agho and represented By Barrister Dele Igbinedion against the state government on the ban on Okada. The case which has been on in court 1 since July 8th 2013 was finally settled today after several adjournments, the last been Friday the 17th due to electricity failure. Several points were canvassed by the applicants but the major trust was that the Ban on Okada by the state government was an infringement on our fundamental rights especially the right to freedom of movement. The government lawyers argued that the federal High court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case. The honourable Judge agreed with us that the Federal High court has jurisdiction to hear the case. He said that article 41 of the constitution guarantees freedom of movement but was vague on the issue of the means of movement. That Okada was one of several means of movement that the ban on okada did not stop the applicants from using other means of movement. He then struck out our case. It is not yet ohuru thou as we are dusting our law books to see how will can advance our case. More on the ITV evening news.

What is the agricultural policy of Edo State.

Today @ d banquet hall @ Aso Rock state governors were show casing their state agricultural assets. But I ask where was Edo State government. What is Edo State government agriculture policy? What are they doing about Ekpoma & illushi rice? What are they doing about d Urhonigbe rubber plantation? What about d rubber plantation @ Sokponba? Which way Comrade Adams? What is d agriculture policy of your government?

Queen Esther Omoye Erediauwa is Dead

TODAY WE THE GREAT PEOPLE OF BENIN KINGDOM MOURN THE PASSING AWAY OF OUR GREAT QUEEN, QUEEN ESTHER OF BENIN KINGDOM. MAY HER SOUL FIND PEACE. 

The Ancient Kingdom of Benin lost her Queen, the wife of the Oba of Benin. She is survived by her husband, the Oba of Benin and several children.

On Lucky Igbinedion tenure

The question many are not answering is, was Lucky Igbinedion the worst governor among those of his tenure? Are we hating him because of his successful father? or are we trying to pull him down for no just cause? Lucky Igbinedion developed human capacity of the state and created several employment opportunities. The truth is that Lucky Igbinedion is truly the Political Leader of Edo South no matter how you weigh it. Until we accept this truism all other interest group in Nigeria and Edo State will continue to take advantage of the Benins. So when you see those other protecting their own and joining you to pull down a political juggernaut, my advice is that you should wise up. Even out of governance he just opened the Kada Plaza that is employing and entertaining our people. Please smell the coffee.