The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote was on Tuesday in Cape Town, South Africa conferred with a global award of excellence for outstanding contributions to sustainable local content development in Nigeria and across Africa’s Oil and Gas Industry.
The award was conferred on him by the organizers of African Oil Week (AOW), at the PetroAfricanus Dinner, as part of the events marking AOW’s 25th anniversary celebration.
AOW is a premier international oil and gas summit, which brings together over 70 governments, national oil companies, investors, regulators, licensing agencies and leaders of major oil and gas companies that shape the continent’s upstream hydrocarbon landscape. It’s a foremost platform for business intelligence and transaction in Africa’s upstream oil and gas industry.
Reading the citation for the award, Conference Director, Africa Oil Week, Mr. Paul Sinclair, highlighted the considerations for Engr. Wabote’s selection and suitability for the award, which include his ongoing unprecedented contributions to localization of industry knowledge and expertise, monumental capacity development programs in Nigeria with cross border impacts, trenchant advocacy of the imperatives of local content practice and benefits, smart regulations and rare leadership capacity to balance dialogue between international commercial ventures and national interest. He stated that in the 25years history of AOW, this is the first time an award was given for Local Content excellence by AOW/ITE Group.
In his acceptance speech, Wabote expressed delight at the honour and recognition by AOW/ITE Group, noting that the award was significant as “it communicates AOW’s acknowledgment of the Board’s programmes and strategies for localizing industry knowledge and capacity development”. He paid glowing tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve his country and to champion national economic interest through local content advocacy and implementation under NCDMB banner. He dedicated the award to the entire staff and management of NCDMB for their high sense of duty, patriotism and absolute commitment to local content regime, noting “this award would not have been possible with their constant support for me”.
Other recipients of the AOW Silver Jubilee Celebration awards include to Mr. Conrad Gerber (a posthumous award received by his daughter, Laura), Barbette van Gessel, South African, Chief Executive Officer of Global Pacific & Partners, Founder and President of Global Women Petroleum and Energy Club, Duncan Clarke, Zimbabwean, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Global Pacific & Partners, a private advisory firm based in London and Mr. Samuel Dossou-Aworet, Benin Republic national, a Pan-African Businessman, Founder and Chairman of Petrolin Group recognized for his strategic and pioneering role in the promotion and development of major oil companies and African companies in several African countries including Seplat in Nigeria.
It was a night of glitz and glory, well attended by dignitaries like the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Chairman Seplat, Dr. ABC Orjiakor, Managing Director Seplat, Mr. Austin Avuru, Luca Rigo de Righi (Chevron, Houston) and other representatives of oil and gas companies from various parts of the world.
One Response
Congratulations to Engr Simbi Wabote and the NCDMB team for this well deserved prestigious award. More grease to your elbows. Local content is indeed a good business.