For his several initiatives and reforms in the oil and gas sector which have been impacting positively on the nation’s economy, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has been honoured two times in a day by both the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) and Independent Magazine Publishers Association of Nigeria (IMPAN).
The day of double awards for Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was 31st January, 2019. The first award came the way of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu at the launch of “Project 100” at the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) Auditorium, Central Business District, Abuja. The Award of “Life time achievement” was conferred by Professor Sunny Iyuke, the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Petroleum Training Institute, (PTI),
Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria. P.T.I. has been a hub of Petroleum expertise with a notable reputation for providing a high quality technical education and research in petroleum related disciplines. It has also been developing competent technology manpower that is driving the wheels of the oil and gas sector within the country and beyond. The institute was established by the P.T.I. Act 1972, No 37.
The second award conferred on Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was presented by Prince Jude Ubaka, the President of Independent Magazine Publishers Association of Nigeria (IMPAN). The presentation took place in the office of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources at NNPC Towers, Central Business District, Abuja.
IMPAN’s appreciation and award bestowed on Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was of African Leaders of Integrity Merit Award (ALIMA Award, 2018). The award was “for the Honourable Minister’s selfless service and for achieving the change mantra policy of President Muhammadu Buhari in the oil sector.” To IPMAN, “Dr. Kachikwu’s contributions to innovative strategies and formulation of policies aimed at sanitizing the petroleum sector of the country and returning it to a profit generating sector that would positively impact the economy of Nigeria” is worthy of recognition.
IMPAN is a national association of those publishing magazines in Nigeria. It is meant to unite members of the fourth estate of the realm and also to support relevant bodies and unions to sanitize the industry in a bid to carry out their social responsibility. Members believe in democracy and are devoted to encouraging leaders who are devoted to building the nation’s democracy through their chosen field of endeavours.
Whilst receiving and responding to the awards bestowed on him, Dr. Ibe Emmanuel Kachikwu, who was not new to receiving awards and recognition, pointed out the uniqueness of those two awards conferred on him, same day. He expressed the note that “It is not every day that citizens come to appreciate the work being done by their political office holders.” In a country of about 180 Million persons where everyone has expert knowledge and expresses expert opinions on virtually everything being done, it is difficult to stand out in the way one does what one has to do”, Kachikwu said. The award recipient therefore dedicates the awards to “Nigerians, at whose mercies we are holding office” and to President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him to serve in the capacity he is serving; and “for putting no undue pressure whatsoever, on him.”
Olujimi Oyetomi, Press Unit,
Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
