SHELL WORLD AV AVRIL 2014 JUNE 2015RIL 2014

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SHELL WORLD AVRIL 2014

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SHELL WORLD AVRIL 2014

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SHELL WORLD AVRIL 2014JUNE 2015

Performance for SurvivalThe Gbaran Ubie Story

Women in EnergyVictoria Olumide, SCiNergy President

SPDC JV Creating Life-Changing OpportunitiesAguma W. Enwubiko’s TELSEP Journey

Satellite-based Flood Monitoring & ForecastingInnovation by the Development Function

JOURNEY FROM CONTRACT EMPLOYEE TO REGIONAL HEAD

2 SHELL WORLD Nigeria

EDITORIAL

SHELL WORLDNIGERIA ISSUE 20JUNE 2015

EDITORIAL BOARDIgo Weli, ChairmanAdaobi K. Oniwinde, Editor-in-ChiefTunde Adams Afolabi AkinrogundeBola ‘Salt’ Essien-Nelson

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAdaobi K. [email protected]

EDITORBola ‘Salt’ [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSLori [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

DISTRIBUTIONAnthony Ogedengbe [email protected]

DESIGNShell Production Centre of ExcellenceThe Hague, The Netherlands1060751

PRINTERArtsaels LimitedLagos, Nigeria

FRONT COVER Ireti Omotoso, Finance Manager, Onshore Production

Shell World Nigeria replaces allprevious hardcopy regional andline business publications. It isalso available to anyone outsideShell who is interested in theissues that affect us as a globalenergy company.Shell is represented by thefollowing companies in Nigeria:Shell Petroleum DevelopmentCompany of Nigeria (SPDC)Joint Venture; Shell NigeriaExploration and ProductionCompany (SNEPCo);Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG);Shell Nigeria Closed PensionFund Administrator (SNCPFA);Nigeria LNG Limited and ShellExploration and ProductionAfrica (SEPA).

Adaobi K. Oniwinde Editor-in-Chief

WELCOME TO SHELL WORLD NIGERIA Q2 EDITION

We are exactly half way through 2015 and what an eventful half year it has been so far! Shell companies around the world held the ninth edition of Safety Day on May 6. “Voice of the People” on page 12 is a collection of Goal Zero commitments made by staff and contractors on Safety Day. We also hosted the fourth annual Shell Contractor CEO HSE conference which was attended by a record 128 CEOs, representing 117 contractor companies, demonstrating ourcommitment to Goal Zero “because we care!”

Shell World Nigeria remains committed to bringing you an eclectic mix of stories about Shell people and events—because we are involved in an eclectic mix of activities! One such example is the inspirational story of (another) Shell staff who has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and rides a bicycle to work every day. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn where he got his training. You’re also sure to be inspired by the former contract employee who has risen to become a Regional Head. Did you know that the Gbaran Ubie plant was faced with potential value erosion to the business? You can read about the plant’s “performance for survival” journey on page 18.

Our Editor, Salt has reviewed Jack Canfield’s “Success Principles,” with lots of helpful tips for our “Performance for Survival” journey. You’ll also gain insights on surviving retirement from her interview with former SPDC Deputy Managing Director, Egbert Imomoh.

This edition marks the debut of a new layout. You’ll also notice that our content pages are now linked, in response to a reader’s recommendation. We are always looking for ways to improve Shell World Nigeria, so thank you for all the feedback. Do keep them coming to bola [email protected], as they help us enhance the magazine.

Happy Reading!

Adaobi K. OniwindeEditor-in-Chief, Shell World Nigeria

NIGERIA Contents

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20

13

9

SHELL WORLD Nigeria 3

June 2015

WELCOME TO SHELL WORLD NIGERIA Q2 EDITION

Your Magazine04 Love your planet? Prove it!

News05 Satellite-based flood monitoring

& forecasting: Innovation by development function

06 Bonga North West “is best-in-class”

07 SPDC trains 300 midwives in the Niger Delta

Features08 Journey from contract employee to

regional head

10 Storytelling through the lens of Akintunde Akinleye

11 17 years of education and football

12 How are you going to achieve Goal Zero every day?

13 Annual Shell Leadership and Contractor CEO Conference in pictures

14 Here come the Beach Samaritans

15 Mulching: A sustainable wood waste management strategy

16 Fitness enthusiast takes his quest to Mount Kilimanjaro, Cape Argus and Dubai Grand Fondo

Women In Energy17 Victoria Olumide, SCiNergy

President

18 Performance for survival: The Gbaran Ubie story

Good Food19 Our streets of fruity colors

Spotlight On A Retiree20 Mr. Egbert U. Imomoh

22 Creating opportunities that change lives

Book Corner23 “Mastering the Marketplace”

By Banji O. Oyeyinka

Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles”


LOVE OUR PLANET? PROVE IT!

YOUR MAGAZINE

The well-being of humanity and the environment both ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. There is mounting evidence that you and I are consuming far more of the world’s natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide.

On June 6, 2015, the world marked “World Environment Day” (WED) – a celebration that engaged millions of people across the globe through events in over 70 countries. Every year, participants, young and old, organise clean-up campaigns; art exhibitions; tree-plantings and recycling drives; social media campaigns as well as different contests aimed at caring for the planet.

I have one question for you. Do YOU care about the planet? You do? OK, read on.The WED was instituted by the United Nations (UN) in 1972 and has grown into one of the main vehicles through which the UN encourages positive action for the environment. Through WED, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) enables us participate in activities that help each one of us do our small bit for the Earth.

Do you fully understand your role in keeping the earth healthy?The WED 2015 theme is “Seven billion dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” Our prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that there is a rising demand for natural resources by the earth’s 9 billion+ people, and being aware that the environmental impacts that we are witnessing now do not have to be a necessary by-product of population growth.

Every dream and every action counts and when multiplied by a global chorus, becomes exponential in its impact. What are YOU going to do for our planet today? Hopefully this story will galvanise you into becoming a true agent of change. Do you want to make a difference? Here are some easy ways to be more caring to Mother Earth:

1. Eat less meat: Reducing your meat consumption is an easy way to do your part because by cutting down on meat consumption you help reduce the need for livestock, thus reducing the amount of nitrous oxide produced by their waste and the greenhouse gasses that go along with it. This makes a huge impact on our planet because the impact of nitrous oxide is worse on the environment than carbon dioxide.

2. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag): Why waste a paper or plastic bag every time you go to the supermarket? Bring your own re-usable shopping bag to help protect our environment and conserve resources every time you shop.

3. Switch off the lights: It seems like a no-brainer, but people often forget to switch off lights when they walk out of a room. Turn off lights when you aren’t using them and you’ll help save the environment and save on your electricity bill.

4. Put down the bottle: Switching from plastic bottles to reusable glass water bottles can save precious fossil fuels and money.

5. Don’t be trashy, recycle: Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!

6. Don’t forget to re-use and re-purpose: Simple efforts like re-using plastic bags or re-purposing an old shoebox can save tons of waste from the dump. Plus, re-purposing items around the house is a great way to nurture your own creativity. How many ways can you reuse an empty Nido milk tin?

7. Don’t be a slug. Unplug: Unplug that phone charger, and save not only the environment, but also your wallet.

These are just seven simple ways you can help save and maintain our environment. If you want to learn 40 more, look up the book, “47 Things You Can Do for the Environment” by Lexi Petronis.

For more on World Environment Day 2015 go to: http://www.unep.org/wed

NEWS

SATELLITE-BASED FLOOD MONITORING & FORECASTING: INNOVATION BY DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONIn September and October 2012, Nigeria was affected by widespread and unprecedented flooding. The National Emergency Management Agency estimated that the floods claimed 363 lives and displaced 2.1 million people in different parts of the country. The Geomatics team assisted in the Shell Petroleum Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC)’s response to the emergency.

The company acquired satellite radar images to estimate the extent of flooding across the Niger Delta. The first images were made available within 12 hours of the request and enabled the Geomatics team map the extent of water in difficult circumstances such as through cloud cover and at night.

The driving forces behind a satellite-based approach to flood monitoring and emergency response strategy include:

1. The need for knowledge of the position and extent of flood water levels across the Niger Delta in relation to SPDC facilities and active locations (e.g. well-sites with drilling rigs).

2. The knowledge of the position and extent of flood water level upstream on the Niger Delta at Lokoja to provide early warning to the Delta.

3. Being able to support the Nigerian Government and relief organisations with accurate and timely information to facilitate the distribution of relief to flood-affected people, communities and the environment.

4. The need for assessment of present and future vulnerable SPDC assets within or near the flood-affected areas.

5. The need to obtain accurate, frequent regional information on flooding patterns across the Niger Delta.

During the 2012 emergency, the Geomatics team worked with imagery vendors to analyse 14 satellite radar images to produce maps that illustrated the extent of the flooding. They shared their findings with internal and external stakeholders and two approaches were evaluated: change detection using radar images acquired before and during the flooding, and direct mapping.

The latter approach proved to be a simpler and more accurate way to identify flood-impacted areas. This information was

merged with data from water level gauges and digital elevation data to predict other likely areas of impact as flood waters continued to rise. The maps produced by the Geomatics team highlighted key oil/gas infrastructure and locations of communities. Photographs from helicopter over-flights were subsequently used to evaluate and confirm the accuracy of the flood mapping. The flood extent and prediction maps provided by the Geomatics team contributed to the managed shut-down of at-risk facilities, saving significant operational impact and costs, and avoiding unnecessary loss of production.

To support SPDC’s response to the flooding disaster in the Niger Delta, the Geo-information management team collaborated with colleagues in onshore and offshore survey operations and other disciplines. Together, they worked to integrate information from all available sources, including satellite radar imagery, hand-held aerial photos, water level gauges and reports from field crews.

More recently, an integrated Development team within SPDC adopted a proactive strategy working with Nigerian government agencies, to develop management protocols to protect the Niger Delta region from severe flooding. This cross-functional team focused their efforts on flood prediction and asset protection. It is also important to note that this combined effort averted a national disaster in 2014 and resulted in over $100m in cost savings due to proactive flood mitigation.

This effort has been widely recognised and supported not only by internal stakeholders, but was valuable in SPDC’S delivery of relief materials to impacted communities. The team’s efforts also won them a 2013 Shell CEO HSSE & SP Award.

General Manager, Development Bayo Ojulari said, “It gives us great pride that this effort which began as a response to a national emergency is now a structured approach which has been replicated and sustained in collaboration with relevant government authorities.” ■


é Web based map showing NEMA flood forecast model and vulnerable areas in the Niger Delta


NEWS

“Bonga North West demonstrates what can be achieved when people work together effectively. Every single team collaborated to enable the SNEPCo organisation deliver on this project in a very challenging environment. Bonga North West is now showcased by the Shell Production Academy as a ‘Best- in-Class’ project in terms of execution.” Bonga North West is a six well tie-in to the main Bonga FPSO vessel*. It produced first oil on August 5, 2014, and all six wells have subsequently been hooked up and are currently producing an average of between 50 - 60 thousand barrels of oil a day. In addition to being executed successfully, safely and within budget, Bonga North West also met its primary objectives.

“Why do we execute these projects? We do them because we want to fill the tank” Jackson explained. “Some projects are

BONGA NORTH WEST “IS BEST-IN-CLASS’’

é Theo Ekiyor-Katimi (Operations Manager-Bonga) in a warm handshake with Joey Uyanwune (former Project Manager, Bonga North West Project).

é Bonga North West Project Handover Ceremony

*Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).

and in record time like Bonga North West project has done. It is a demonstration of due diligence and excellent collaboration by both teams,” said Obinna Mbonu, Head, Deepwater Projects Operations Readiness/Excellence.

The teams learned many lessons. Effy Okon, GM Offshore Assets and Theo Ekiyor-Etimi, Operations Manager, Bonga both said they expect to see those learnings replicated in future projects.

The event culminated with the signing of the Final Handover Certificate by all the Project Team Leads, after which Jerry Jackson formally handed over the Bonga North West Asset to Effy Okon.

Then it was time for a well-deserved celebration with cake and photos. ■

successful, but one month, two months down the line, they are not able to fill the tanks for various reasons so at the end of the day, you really don’t have a ‘successful’ project. BNW met and exceeded all its objectives and for me, that is the ultimate mark of success for any project.”There was a common theme running through the ceremony which can be summarised in two words: Collaboration and Teamwork.

“We had an integrated team. We worked together with a common purpose and focus to deliver this Project,” said Joey Uyanwune, the former BNW Project Manager, as he commended the Production teams involved in the Project as well as colleagues from Well Engineering and Development. “Not all projects achieve this milestone

Shell’s Deepwater Project & Technology team officially handed over the Bonga North West asset to the Offshore Asset team on March 26, 2015. The handover ceremony, which took place in Lagos, marked a significant milestone for Bonga North West (BNW). These excited words from Jerry Jackson, GM Deepwater Projects give an idea of what the energy in the room was like during the handover ceremony:


NEWS

SPDC TRAINS 300 MIDWIVES IN THE NIGER DELTA

é Faith Emerho, a beneficiary from the Delta State School of Nursing

é One of the beneficiaries with the Acting Regional Community Health Manager, Dr Akin Fajola and the Director of Nursing services Bayelsa State Ministry of Health

“I was struggling through school; combining school with work. The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) provided finances that enabled me resume my studies. Thank you for the investment and trust you have placed in me. I promise to be an agent of change in my community. By the grace of God, I will not disappoint you,’ said Faith Emerho in an emotion-laden voice.

Faith is one of the nurses from the Delta State School of Nursing, Sapele who has benefited from the partnership between SPDC and health ministries in six states – Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers. She and 299 other nurses were granted full

scholarships to attend midwifery schools and become certified midwives. In addition to covering tuition fees and books, the scholarship takes care of their council registration, uniforms, accommodation, feeding, clinical practicals and community placements. Each of the nurses also gets a laptop for research.

These midwives, from difficult-to-reach regions of the states, are expected to graduate from midwifery schools this year. Under the scholarship terms, upon graduation, they will return to their communities to provide professional medical care. This will no doubt contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality in the beneficiary states.

“This partnership between the SPDC-JV and the ministries is a unique initiative that invests not only in the lives of the individual beneficiaries but in that of the people who live in the communities as well. It will improve maternal and child health indicators and reduce preventable deaths. This is in line with SPDC’s commitment to improving the quality of health and thereby the lives of people,” said Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, the Acting Regional Community Health Manager, during the cheque presentation in Port Harcourt.

SPDC’s Acting Head of Department, Partnership and Collaboration, Dr. Dennis Oyakhire, commended the state ministries of health for their

commitment to the success of the partnership. He said, “In 2014, the beneficiaries received the first instalment of the scholarship fund and today we are happy to be presenting the second (and final) cheques to them. We are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of this initiative. We expect it to boost the quality of health services that will be provided to the communities.”

Representative of the Abia State Commissioner of Health, Pastor Ekeagba Promise (Director of Nursing Services, Abia State Ministry of Health) thanked SPDC for training the midwives, who, he said, would otherwise have had no hope of finishing their studies and graduating.

The SPDC-JV signed a memorandum of understanding with each state government in 2013 to train 50 nurses per state over 18 months. This initiative is part of SPDC’s social investment programmes to support the region in attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG 4 & 5) – promoting maternal and child health. ■

FEATURE

I have had conversations with a number of contract staff who say that although they appreciate working for Shell, their status as contract staff causes a lot of anxiety in these turbulent times. Then, I heard about a senior Shell staff whose story was making the rounds on social media. Adaobi Oniwinde caught up with Ireti Omotoso to get the scoop first hand.

Today, Ireti Omotoso is the Finance Manager, Onshore Production. But his journey in Shell started ten years ago in 2005 just a year after leaving a promising career with KPMG.In his words, “Being naturally restless and hungry for more challenging and exciting opportunities, I joined a small IT start-up in Sept 2004. A year later, a rare opportunity beckoned from Shell – an opportunity too tempting to pass up.”

The opportunity that was “too tempting to pass up” was a six-month, non-renewable contract with the Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited (SNEPCo).“I have always been a strong believer in opportunities; when one presents itself, you need to take your chances as you never know when next it will come around again.”

Ireti believes the experiences he gained at corporate giants like Arthur Andersen and KPMG were learning opportunities, in preparation for bigger things. He says he learnt early in his working career what it meant to pursue excellence—a virtue he knew would make a big difference in his future.

“I saw the Shell job as an opportunity to experience the foremost industry in Nigeria with the biggest player. To be honest, the duration of the contract was not a real concern at the time, I just wanted to be part of something I had always heard of and admired greatly from afar.”

He joined SNEPCo as part of the Bonga operations readiness team and said he made a promise to himself to work hard, give his best and enjoy every second of those six months!

And he did just that. “It was an exciting time in SNEPCo, as the company was transitioning from a project to full scale operations…At the time we referred to Bonga as the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ so there was a lot of excitement as well as hard work.”

Ireti may have benefitted from time and chance or the sheer luck of being at the right place at the right time peppered with the right amount of hard work, because six months later, “the non-renewable contract” needed to be renewed.

During the renewal period, he had an opportunity to interview for the new finance team being put together to support the expanding SNEPCo organisation. Thus began a career that had him leading a team in just three years, then an international assignment to (the Hague) Group Reporting as the Reporting Analyst supporting the Executive Committee

JOURNEY FROM CONTRACT EMPLOYEE TO REGIONAL HEAD

“Arguably the largest integrated energy company in the world”


of Royal Dutch Shell and up until recently, Regional Head, Budgeting & Financial Planning.

It reads like a rosy picture, but like everything in life, there have been downs. Asked to describe an experience in which he thought he had blown an opportunity, Ireti didn’t need to think too hard to come up with one:

My first year on cross posting was a real challenge and at the onset I was certain I had blown the opportunity given to me. I was working in the Head Office of arguably the largest integrated energy company in the world. The standards were very high and the pressure was much more than I had ever imagined. There were also huge cultural differences to contend with and to make things more interesting, we were expecting our second child….Knowing I was not performing at my optimal level was not the difficult part. It was accepting it that was difficult. What happens many times with us as individuals is that we fail to accept that we are not performing up to expectations, but rather find something or someone to blame.”

Ireti made the conscious decision not to play the blame game. Instead, he accepted that the problem was with him. That mindset combined with the constant coaching and care of mentors such as Akeeb Akinola, MD (Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator), taught him to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. “In my toughest times, I learnt how to

see challenges as stepping stones rather than blockers…I learnt to hit the RESET button and start building again,” he said.

Asked what advise he would give new joiners and contractors:To contractors: Seize the day and maximise every opportunity given. Don’t spend any time whining about your contractual status. It does nothing. The colour of your ID card should not determine the quality of service you offer to the organisation. Take pride in your profession and the experience you bring to the table. Deliver a quality job and let your work speak for you.

To new grads: Learn your craft! Learn your craft! Learn your craft! Spend considerable amounts of time reading, studying, researching and understanding your business and how it contributes to the bottom line.

To new experienced hires: Don’t go native! Too often, experienced hires very quickly become overwhelmed by the established internal approach and simply go native – “if you can’t beat them join them approach”. One of the key reasons Shell employs experienced hires is for them to inject the “external” experience, view and focus in our decision-making and business approach. It is important for us to understand that the collection of our individual differences makes us a strong unit. ■

“ To new grads: Learn your craft! Learn your craft! Learn your craft!”



STORYTELLING THROUGH THE LENS OF AKINTUNDE AKINLEYEOn December 26, 2006 there was a tragic gas pipeline explosion in Abule Egba, Lagos. At least 260 people lost their lives and dozens were injured, according to the Red Cross. Then little-known photographer, Akintunde Akinleye captured an image of a man rinsing soot from his face, surrounded by devastation. That image won first prize at the 2007 World Press Photo’s annual photography contest in Amsterdam.

Akinleye became an overnight success and has gone on to take and exhibit many more iconic photographs that depict realities of being a resilient Nigerian. He recently collaborated with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and its joint venture partners to co-sponsor an exhibition featuring Akinleye’s work through the Lagos Photo Foundation. The April 2015 exhibition featured some of Akinleye’s works on youth, women empowerment, education and street economics.

I asked Akinleye why he thought this was a fitting collaboration.“ …Nigerians are so talented. Our system is so faulty and broken, so people are not really paying attention. There is so much talent in this country, yet no one is sponsoring raw talent… I commend Shell and similar organisations for stepping up to set an example. You can use this platform as a tool for nation-building by discovering and nurturing raw talent,” he said.

Akinleye knows about raw talent and the potential of under –privileged members of our society, when given an opportunity. He grew up in one of the poorest slums of Mushin, Lagos where he spent all of his free time playing street football with his younger siblings. He was a natural leader and his mother knew that if she got him off the streets, all the other kids would follow. So she sent him to stay with an uncle who was an artist.

Two things happened during those years. Akinleye and his uncle developed a master/apprentice relationship and Akinleye discovered his love for photography.

Serendipity has played a significant role in Akinleye’s life. The circumstances of his childhood and the environment in which he grew up, his love of languages and geography, based on his deep knowledge of Lagos, his encounter with an artist during his formative years and a deep desire for social justice,

all culminated in a desire to become a teacher. Yet, this dream seemed to evade him, no matter which route he attempted to take, because he needed to pass Mathematics and Statistics—two subjects he had no interest in and kept running away from!

“I became a self-taught photographer and took up commercial photography as a way to sponsor a journalism career which did not require maths or statistics…I enrolled in the Nigerian Institute of Journalism to avoid getting caught up in constant shut downs and avoid spending years in University towards a degree,” he said.

Luck or destiny was to play another role in his life when he got a job with the Daily Independent newspaper in the early 2000’s. A photograph he took of a soldier during an army/police clash in Ojuelegba caught the attention of a photo editor with Reuters News Agency and by the following year, Akinleye added Reuters Photographer to his resume.

He says his journey from a childhood in Mushin to a world-celebrated photographer wasn’t planned. In fact, a number of his accomplishments started out as jokes, but he believes there is a spiritual order that seems to guide his life. “I do things in the physical, as a joke and they become real… When I first heard about the World Press Photo prize in 2006, I said I would win the next one and I did.”

When Akinleye took pictures at the scene of the gas pipeline explosion in 2006, he never intended to focus on images that tell stories about oil. He later went on to take a series of photos on “Nigeria’s illegal oil bunkerers” for Reuters.

Asked how his peers reacted to a collaboration with the SPDC-JV, he said, “I want to cover history and to show the truth. For Shell to identify with me, it says a lot about my work… If my images vindicate Shell, that’s the truth. If they indict Shell, it is for the company to change their practices.” ■

See images from the “illegal oil bunkerers” series here:http://widerimage.reuters.com/story/nigerias-illegal-oil-bunkerers

é Editor-in-Chief Adaobi K. Oniwinde caught up with Akintunde Akinleye for Shell World


17 YEARS OF EDUCATION AND FOOTBALLThe NNPC/Shell Cup football competition for secondary schools celebrated its seventeenth year in 2015. This milestone year witnessed Rochas Okorocha Foundation College, Ogboko, Imo State, emerge winners of the 2015 series, after defeating Government Day Secondary School, Gwale Kano by 2-1 inside the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The football competition was initiated in 1998 by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its joint venture partners. Its objective was to reduce the number of boys who abandon their education in pursuit of football careers. “Combining sports with education is the main objective of the NNPC/Shell Cup. I am happy to say that this has been achieved by the sustained efforts of SPDC, our joint venture partners and the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation” said the SPDC General Manager, Gas, Ubaka Emelumadu, who represented the SPDC MD/ Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, at the 2015 Finals.

Rabiu Abdul of the Ministry of Education, Kano, has attended every finals game since the inception of the NNPC Shell Cup competition! Speaking to Lori Uduje on his motivation for attending the competitions, the former Games Master who has coached several primary and secondary schools in Kano since the 80’s said, “I attend the finals of the competition, even when the schools I coordinate do not qualify. I like to see our youths progress, and I appreciate the effort that Shell and NNPC are putting into youth development through sports.” The competition has achieved great success in motivating youths to take their education seriously even while they continue to pursue their football careers. Mr. Abdul explained that “In Kano, students are motivated to come to school, simply because they know it’s a criterion to participate in the NNPC/Shell Cup.”

In the 2015 edition, former Super Eagle’s Mike Obiku, Gido Vader and Melvin Boel from the renowned Feyenoord Academy were on ground to provide coaching clinics for all the semi-finalists. The partnership with Feyenoord Academy which began in 2014 is one way the SPDC JV is improving the experience of the players and coaches. “Feyenoord Academy is one of the most successful youth academies in the world and SPDC and its joint venture partners are pleased to be working with them to bring world-class coaching and player development expertise

to Nigeria,” said Igo Weli, General Manager Sustainable Development and Community Relations, SPDC, during a media chat that took place as part of this year’s competition.

NNPC/Shell Cup has recorded many gains. In the past 17 years, the competition has helped discover untapped potential, nurturing them into talented players, while keeping them in school. Champions like Super Eagles star Ejike Uzoenyi, and Under-17 World Cup winner, Akinjide

Idowu are a few examples of national and international players who emerged from the competition.

The NNPC/Shell Cup is a demonstration of the JV’s commitment to the development of Nigerian youths. In the week after the finals, our social media mentions were a testament to the public’s appreciation of our efforts. We recorded 99 re-tweets and 62 “likes” on Facebook. This unprecedented high engagement rate can be directly attributed to posts on the NNPC/Shell Cup. ■

“ Combining sports with education is the main objective of the NNPC/Shell Cup.”

é The winning team with their founder, Rochas Okorocha, Governor, Imo State

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE


THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLEHOW ARE YOU GOING TO ACHIEVE GOAL ZERO EVERYDAY?

Busola Ajayi – Matron, Shell Health Centre, LagosMy duty is taking care of employees every day so achieving goal Goal

Zero on a daily basis is easy for me. I have to ensure the hospital has all it needs to provide top notch medical care. I work with the front office staff and other nurses to make people feel welcome and comfortable while they wait to see the doctors and I have to ensure our equipment are safe, sterile and properly serviced. These are some of the things I do and will continue to do to achieve Goal Zero every day.

Jennifer Olorunsola – Head, Nigeria Proximate Services TeamTo achieve Goal Zero every day, I am going to continue

intervening, especially in the area of road safety. I will continue to educate people, their children and anyone else on the simple every day steps we can all take to stay alive.

Ogbole Oghedegbe – Business Analyst, Production“Just do the right thing.” This is my safety mantra and what I aim to do, to achieve

Goal Zero every day. Sometimes in a bid to get the job done quickly, there is the temptation to cut corners. But I refuse to do or allow that. I shall follow due process and intervene whenever I notice others are not.

Ozioma Orji – Team Member, Data Records ManagementI have always intervened in my team, my neighbourhood

and in my church. I am especially concerned about people being safe on our roads when walking and driving. I will be my brother’s keeper and encourage others to do the same.

Taj Shobayo – Commercial Integration and Business Venture ManagerTo achieve Goal Zero every day, I commit to intervene

more and more and MORE! Intervention! This, in my mind, is key to people and process safety!

Tunde Oduwole – Business Finance Manager, GasI commit to making sure I get enough sleep every

day! When you work long hours and don’t get enough sleep for the body to repair itself, over time you become less focused, inefficient and less productive and you may not even know. Ultimately the body pays a huge price in different avoidable health challenges. However, because I love and care for my family, myself and my colleagues, I will be more diligent to take care of me — HSSE starts there!

Chichi Ohiaeri – Personal Assistant, Vice President, Nigeria & GabonTo achieve Goal Zero,

the important thing is to intervene. I will intervene. I will not keep quiet. There are times you come to work and you notice a colleague is looking down or under the weather. Yet you keep quiet. I will not do that. Because I care, I shall intervene in these and other kinds of situations.

Moria Uwajeh – Front Desk OfficerI plan to achieve Goal Zero every day at work and especially at home. I find

that we tend to be more safety conscious here at work, so I commit today to take the safety culture to my home. I will make sure all the electrical appliances are unplugged whenever we are going out. I will also ensure we check the gas cylinder every night before we go to bed and before we leave the house. I will do this because I care for my family.

Mustapha Kadri – Subsea Hardware EngineerTo ensure the achievement of Goal Zero every day,

I am committed to going about my tasks in a safe way. I will follow due process and make sure my team members do same. Intervention is very important and I will always do so respectfully. As I go about my work and personal life I will always “Think Safety.”

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE


ANNUAL SHELL LEADERSHIP ANDCONTRACTOR CEO CONFERENCEAPRIL 17, 2015

ANNUAL SHELL LEADERSHIP AND CONTRACTOR CEO CONFERENCE APRIL 17, 2015

CONFERENCE THEME: SAFETY LEADERSHIP & LIFE SAVING RULES: COMMITTED TO GOAL ZERO BECAUSE WE CARE

The 4th annual Shell Contractor CEO HSE conference was attended by a record number of 128 CEOs and senior executives representing 117 contractor companies working across Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), and 36 senior leaders from Shell.

é Osagie Okunbor, MD SPDC/Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria; Rob Munster, GM, Safety and Environment; Tony Attah, MD SNEPCo/VP Human Resources and Markus Droll, VP Nigeria and Gabon

é Mr Nkereuwem Akpan from the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) speaking at the event.

é Mrs. Roselyn Onalaja, the MD of Stresert Services Limited making a point during the conference.

é Group photograph of all the conference participants

The event was an opportunity to come together to focus on safety, build and strengthen partnerships, examine factors that contribute to our safety performance and to review previous commitments. Safety Leadership, Life Saving Rules and Peer-to- Peer intervention were key focus areas for the 2015 edition.

The main objective of this annual gathering is to examine ways in which we can achieve a further step change in safety performance.

Conference participants agreed on the following key focus areas in 2015: ■ Visible safety leadership ■ Re-energizing the Life Saving Rules

through peer-to-peer reporting ■ Employee health and standard welfare

facilities on site ■ Effective review and learning from

incidents■ Safety incentive and reward programme


HERE COME THE BEACH SAMARITANS

A Good Samaritan is someone who helps or sympathises with a person in distress. I am pretty sure you already knew that, but have you ever heard of a Beach Samaritan? The world marked the World Environment Day on June 5 and so, in this edition, we will feature a number of environment-friendly stories. This is one of them. SO, WHO IS A BEACH SAMARITAN?

A Beach Samaritan is a person who gives time to help “distressed” beaches. This person is a volunteer member of the non-governmental initiative (NGI), ‘Beach Samaritans’, founded in October 2014 by two organisations CATE Communications (CATE) and Wakaabout Media. The clean-up programme is part of a community-centred interventionist project to educate volunteers on the need to keep the beaches clean, beautiful and safe from the negative impacts of climate change.

The members of this NGI are people of all ages and from all walks of life, who are committed to improving the sanitary conditions of beaches in Nigeria.

“There is a need to ensure we have healthy and clean beaches. All around the world, beautiful beaches attract tourists. Imagine what it would do for our country’s tourism sector if we could get more people and particularly the government to understand the benefits of what we are doing?” said Sola Alamutu, who shared her passion with Bola Essien-Nelson.

Sola Alamutu is an award-winning ecotourism-writer, child rights advocate, and co-founder of the Beach Samaritans with Pelu Awofeso, a CNN/Multichoice award-winning travel journalist. From day one, their mission has been to make Nigerian beaches litter free.

“The first beach we cleaned was Alpha Beach which we cleaned on October 14, 2014. It was so successful that we were motivated to move on to other beaches, Tarkwa Bay in December 2014, followed by Ibeshe in February and Ilashe in April 2015 respectively.”

The founders are pleased with the interest the initiative has generated so far, especially among the youths. “The whole idea is to promote volunteerism as well as environmental and tourism advocacy. When the youths join, it gives them a sense of purpose,” explains co-founder, Pelu Awofeso.

Beach Samaritans is staging a rebellion against trash on beaches in Nigeria one beach at a time. They are looking for more volunteers, so if you would love to join them, you can contact Sola or Pelu via [email protected].

“Our clean up campaigns are always fun, especially for the kids who love being outdoors. It is always such a joy to see families come out to participate. It sows the seeds of social responsibility into the hearts of our young ones. So to anyone reading this right now, come and join us next time. Make it a family affair,” Sola Alamutu encourages with a smile. ■

é Beach Samaritans at work at Okun Alfa Beach, Lagos State

é Founders of Beach Samaritans, Sola Alamutu and Pelu Awofeso


MULCHING: A SUSTAINABLE WOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

é Mulched wood being used for aesthetics or beautification of the flower hedges

Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) is on a continuous quest to find better and more effective ways of protecting our environment. Our desire to enhance the quality of life in the communities where we operate is consistent and motivated by our Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Control Framework as well as our social performance goals. If not done properly, waste management is an aspect of the oil & gas business that has great potential to negatively impact our social performance. On the other hand, if SCiN handles its waste management in line with best practices and with sustainability as the focus, it can positively enhance stakeholder relations with the host communities.

This is what has motivated the Waste Management team to introduce wood mulching to address the challenges associated with tree cutting and the disposal of wood waste in SCiN operations. Wood waste is generated from the trimming and/cutting of trees and flowers; scrap furniture as well as pallets and construction activities. Every year, SCiN operations generate about 58.7 tonnes of wood waste. This posed a serious disposal challenge as the sheer volume of the waste generated, made collection and transportation difficult and expensive.

Enter 2013 and mulching is introduced as an alternative to the existing management of wood waste in Shell’s Eastern operations. The process of

wood mulching involves the shredding of wood waste into chips. These wood chips are then mixed with colourants to achieve aesthetic qualities such as in decorating flower edges.

Mulches are also increasingly recognised as pivotal components of environmentally sustainable gardens and green spaces because they are slow decomposers. Their tissues are rich in lignin, tannins, and other decomposition-resistant, natural compounds. This means that wood chips provide a slow but steady supply of nutrients to the ecosystem.

Thanks to the introduction of mulching in SCiN, the waste management dumpsite has more room for other non-wood biodegradables. We also now have a sustainable waste management process. With the success of this pilot mulching scheme as a wood waste management strategy, we expect to see other Shell organisations around the world adopt it. Mulching is clearly one more way to enhance sustainable development, improve our social performance and improve cost savings. In the current cost environment, these are critical for SCiN especially in the area of cost saving. ■

Well done to the Logistics Waste Management team!(Adapted from a story by Gbolahan Awotorebo featured in the Q 1 2015 Production Team Newsletter)

FITNESS ENTHUSIAST TAKES HIS QUEST TO MOUNT KILIMANJARO, CAPE ARGUS AND DUBAI GRAND FONDO

When Eje Meggisson of SPDC’s SAP/Business Improvement team sat down with a colleague in 2013 to have a casual discussion on work-life balance and staying healthy, he had no inclination that his quest to stay fit would eventually lead to a walking expedition in Tanzania and cycling adventures in South Africa and Dubai. Lori Uduje chronicles his journey from Mount Kilimanjaro to Cape-Argus and the Dubai Grand Fondo.

It all began when he bought a bicycle in 2013. “I started cycling during the weekends and then to the office during the week. I remember my first attempt at cycling to the office, it was a Saturday and the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge had not been completed at the time. It was a long and tedious 3-hour ride from Lekki to the office through Ozumba Mbadiwe. But after that day I knew I’d be cycling for a very long time,” said Eje.

Prior to this time, Eje says his only memories of cycling were during his primary and early secondary school years. He took his cycling experience a step further after joining “Cycology,” a Lagos-based cycling club which is also

involved in various corporate social responsibility initiatives. “This helped me become more fitness conscious,” he said. After watching a “National Geographic” documentary on Mount Kilimanjaro, he discovered a new passion, walking. “I joined a Shell walking group that walked daily from the office to Lekki Phase1. I tried to convince other members of the group to consider the Kilimanjaro expedition. Eventually I went alone in March 2014. “My 5-day climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro gave me an opportunity for sober reflection, and also taught me some life lessons. Initially, I thought it would be a brisk walk, but nature has a way of taming us, to show that life is not the way we see it…sometimes you have to take baby steps to accomplish bigger goals,” according to Eje.

After Kilimanjaro, Eje got back to cycling and began to train for a 109-kilometer expedition at Cape Argus, South Africa and a 150-kilometer stint at the Dubai Grand Fondo in March 2014. “The Freeman House gym helped me prepare for these events. I used the facility to train in the mornings and after work hours. Unfortunately Cape-Argus was reduced to 47 kilometers due to unfavorable weather conditions in South Africa, but it was a great experience. The mountainous landscape made it even more challenging. There were about 30,000 cyclists. Dubai was also a worthwhile experience. Although most people consider Dubai a flat terrain, they were a good number of climbs as we cycled in the desert.”

Eje gives a lot of credit for his healthier lifestyle to Shell.

“My quest for a healthy lifestyle has been greatly supported by the company. I have been able to utilise the flexible working policy and Shell has been kind enough to give us a functioning medical facility and fitness centre which I have benefitted from.”

Asked if he plans to go on any new expeditions, he quipped, “I would simply say: See you at the London Pru in August 2015 and the Arctic in 2016.” ■


é Eje, the Fitness pro and cyclist

WOMEN IN ENERGY

Victoria Olumide, SNEPCo Performance Reporting Analyst, joined Shell in 2009 as a graduate trainee with the Finance team. In 2014, she became the President of SCiNergy, a Diversity and Inclusion network within Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN). The network was set up to provide a platform for new joiners to engage and understand the organisation. Victoria talks to Shell World Nigeria about the Network’s achievements. She also shares a few insights on the future of SCiNergy.

What is SCiNergy about? SCiNergy is a network for future leaders in SCiN. The mission of the network is to create an enabling environment for the empowerment of future leaders. Our objectives include: Setting up programmes to help new joiners enhance personal development and fully realise their goals; providing a forum for meaningful interaction and on-going guidance to support to all young leaders in SCiN.

What has the network achieved under your leadership? I work with an amazing team that is dedicated to bringing brilliant ideas on board. Together we have been able to implement programmes to move SCiNergy forward. Under the current leadership, the network launched the “Leadership Series,” an interactive session which gives members an opportunity to connect with senior SCiN leaders, and discuss topical issues and challenges which they face as young professionals.

The SCiNergy Newsletter is another way we maintain effective communications with our members. On the fun side, we organise regular Get-to-Know-You sessions for new joiners to help in the on-boarding process. In December 2014, we launched our first-ever charity drive, themed “The Magic of Christmas,” during which we raised contributions for children with special needs at the Centre for Destitute Empowerment, Lagos. This was a truly remarkable event for me as we witnessed how a little initiative can make such a tremendous impact on our wider society. It was particularly impressive that SCiN staff were very willing to support and contribute to this charity drive.

What ae the challenges have you have faced? One of the challenges we faced at the beginning was awareness and participation. The key question for us was, how do we transform the network from just a ‘group of young people’ and how do we harness the wealth of our collective brilliance, passions and ideas? The answer that clearly stood out was to design programmes and events that add value to every member of our network. Initiatives that sell themselves…

and so as each event is rolled out, we ask ourselves: Is this something our people need right now? Once we can clearly identify the value-add, the event practically sells itself! Testament to this is the fact that at every event we have held, the average attendance is over 100 participants. Another challenge we have had to deal with is cost-cutting due to the present business climate. A lot of our ideas require some financial consideration and so we have tried to focus on events with little or no cost implications and also leverage on our in-house capacity to come up with creative ideas.

How do you balance your day-to-day work, family and SCiNergy?

Phew! I wish I could say that I found a magic formula to strike that balance! I have learnt to prioritise, focus and think a step ahead. I have also been blessed with a very supportive supervisor and team, and very passionate and responsible executive members in the network. On the home front, I love to attend all my children’s events so I always try to plan in advance and fit them into my work schedule, so nothing suffers. It’s been a learning journey for me... still on the journey, it has its moments but I’m learning and loving it.

Where do you see SCiNergy in the future?A bridge that closes the generational gap; a ladder to lift new joiners; and a channel of opportunity for all members to learn and derive strength from one another, in a manner that promotes the development and enhancement of leadership skills and behaviours. ■


WOMEN IN ENERGY VICTORIA OLUMIDE, SCINERGY PRESIDENT


PERFORMANCE FOR SURVIVAL: THE GBARAN UBIE STORY

In 2012, impeded by several factors such as plant trips, equipment failures, Trans–Niger Pipeline (TNP) outages, the Gbaran Ubie plant was faced with potential value erosion to the business. It was because of this threat to survival that Boma Brown, the Asset Manager initiated a tactical campaign tagged ‘Gbaran Must Not Trip! (GMNT)’ in 2013. There began the performance for survival story of the asset.

“Simply put, GMNT was a tactical safety-first focussed mission embarked on to deliver the business plan. We had to sit down and come up with short and long term solution strategies involving both technical and non-technical solutions to address business challenges,” says Boma.

GMNT worked! The Asset Team focussed on the bottom line as stipulated in the GMNT vision and this mind-set change produced remarkable results. A successful increase in plant capacity from 1billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (BSCFD) to 1.2 BSCFD was achieved in 2013 and in 2014 Gbaran Ubie maintained top quartile (TQ) gas delivery performance of approximately 98% @1.2BSCFD for 365 days. This TQ performance represents more than 25% improvement compared to that recorded in the previous year.

“In 2015, we kept our eye on the bottom-line delivery but decided to rev up enthusiasm and keep the fire burning in our people. So we launched a new campaign tagged: “GBARAN MUST DELIVER” (GMD). We remained mindful of the continued challenging business environment. But we were committed to not allowing the environment threaten our survival,” Boma said. The GMD campaign started with a complete review of the business plan. Steps were taken to make sure the business

**Calculative assets mean those assets that have met the minimum requirements for effective performance on unscheduled deferment reduction.

assumptions were aligned with current reality, and the Operational Reliability Improvement Process (ORIP) tools were used to catalogue all the threats to the 2015 delivery.”

“The Gbaran Must Deliver Campaign is an excellent initiative that inspires a sharper focus on bottom line outcomes while driving the right behaviours towards achieving top quartile performance and operational excellence,” explained Matthew Odhigu, Gbaran’s Operations Manager.

The GMD campaign instilled a sense of common ownership and commitment to delivery in every single member of the team. Now, there is an integrated business delivery approach that involves both the Asset Development and Operations teams. And early in Q2 2015, Gbaran was confirmed by Shell Group as one of the first ORIP Calculative assets** in Nigeria.

As we continue to grapple with the strategic challenge to achieve and sustain competitive (top quartile) unit costs and embed a continuous improvement culture, Gbaran has demonstrated that ORIP is one of the key tools which will help us win.

What is the one thing Boma would like to share with teams working to deliver in these difficult times? Collaboration is key.

“In Gbaran Ubie, together, we will all continue to pay attention to weak signals and be prepared to respond when failures occur. I encourage all other teams to adopt this team spirit. In GU, it is one for all and all for one! Together, we continue to strive to have a perfect day every day of the year!”

Now, that’s a performance for survival mentality.

Gbaran Must Not Trip

2013 2014 2015

Gbaran Must Not Trip

Gbaran Must Deliver

é Boma Brown, Asset Manager Land East

é Matthew Odhigu, Operations Manager

é Gbaran-Ubie integrated oil & gas plant

GOOD FOOD


Tip 1: You can never go wrong with the colour orange — Carrots and mangoes are a tasty and healthy addition to smoothies.

On days you crave a creamy smoothie, just add a few slices of pawpaw before you blend.

Tip 2: It helps to have fruits diced and frozen in small portions. This takes away the stress of toiling over a chopping board every time you feel like a smoothie. Using frozen fruits is a good alternative to using ice cubes.

GOOD FOODOur streets of fruity colours!

Some of my favourite mouth-watering smoothie combinations are:■ Pawpaw, carrots, passion fruit and ginger■ Pawpaw, pineapple and watermelon■ Pawpaw with lime zest■ Strawberries with lemon zest■ Apple, cucumber and mint■ Carrots, ginger and orange zest■ Mango and spinach with a splash of lemon

juice, pineapple and fresh coconut milk

According to our food guru Ozoz Sokoh, fresh fruits and vegetables are definitely a call for smoothies! Whether you choose to make a vegetable or fruit smoothie, there are a few golden tips you must know:

Tip 3: Two fruits can make a delightful smoothie – think about pawpaw and lime skin/zest or fresh ginger or strawberries and lemon zest.

Tip 4:You can jazz up your smoothies by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice.

So which of these delicious and super healthy smoothies will you be making today?

Editor's note: For a lunchtime break, Abundy on the 10th floor in BOI has delicious smoothies!

by Ozoz Sokoh

SPOTLIGHT ON A RETIREE


SPOTLIGHT ON A RETIREE:

MR. EGBERT U. IMOMOH

I did not meet this gentleman in Shell when I joined the company in 2006 as he retired in 2002, but writing this feature has given me the opportunity to get to know him. And I must say; I am inspired by his work ethic, candour and simplicity. In this edition, “Spotlight on a Retiree” is extremely pleased to bring to you, Mr. Egbert Ulogo Imomoh, a former Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

Mr. Imomoh joined Shell in December 1968 and held various positions during his 34 meritorious years with the company rising to the position of DMD, a position he held from 1997 to 2002 when he retired. I learnt so much from him during this interview and I hope you find it as refreshing and informative as I did.

“ After all, health is wealth!”

When did you join Shell?I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, England in July 1968 which I had attended on a Shell scholarship. In December of the same year, I was employed by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited as a Petroleum Engineer after undergoing basic training in The Netherlands.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the company?My very first job in Shell was as a well site Petroleum Engineer and then from 1972 to 1975, I moved to Warri to work as a Production Engineer. By 1979, I had risen to the level of Chief Petroleum Engineer and was sent on an international assignment to the United Kingdom (UK) where I worked with


Shell Expro in Aberdeen as a Senior Economist for some of the North Sea green and brown fields. Those were interesting times for me as it was my first non-engineering role. In 1984, I came back home and was put in charge of the then Eastern Division of Shell in Nigeria, a role I held till 1990. In 1991, I was sent on another assignment to The Netherlands where I served as the Head of the Exploration and Production (E&P) Liaison Group. We were responsible for all Shell’s E&P interests in the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Italy. This was when I really got to learn about the business from a global perspective. I returned to Nigeria in 1993 and continued as the General Manager in charge of the Eastern Division until 1997 when I became the Deputy Managing Director of SPDC, a position I held till I retired in 2002.

Wow, that was some career! Could you share any experiences on your life ‘After-Shell’?I have remained very busy since my retirement and have held a full day’s job since I retired in 2002. Post retirement, I worked with Shell International, London as a Senior Corporate Adviser on Nigeria between May 2002 and November 2004 providing advice on Nigerian issues for internal and external purposes. I met with a number of non-governmental organi-sations and government agencies who wanted to know more about Shell’s activities in Nigeria.

You really have not slowed down at all.No, I really have not but I have enjoyed good health and I honestly have a very happy and contented family life. This is very important and you know, although I just turned 70 on April 27, I do not feel much different from when I was 60 and I hope I can keep this going for some more time.

We hope so too, Sir. And Happy Belated Birthday! SWN wishes you many more years in health and in wealth! Would you mind sharing the smartest thing you did to prepare for retirement?I am happy to share. I don’t know if the policy still exists but back then I took advantage of the SPDC’s policy that allowed one apply for an advance against one’s final lump sum entitlements before retirement to build my retirement home in Lagos. There is nothing like having a home of your own. I also decided that I would invest in an international medical insurance. After all, health is wealth!

What advice would you give a pre-retiree about preparing for retirement?Have some clarity about what your basic requirements will be and ensure that you make provisions for them. Some mouth-watering proposals will be presented to you but avoid any grand schemes that look too good to be true. They usually are!

What advice do you have for the young people just starting out in life?Try to have a clear idea about what motivates you in life and have clarity about what you should do and not do. For me, having a religion which guides me has made this relatively easy.

What non-financial aspect of retirement life surprised you the most?I have not had as much free time as I had thought and hoped for.

If you could change one thing about your retired life, what would that be?Be less busy and have more time for golf *laughs*.

What are you up to now? I have been involved in the corporate world serving on different boards and in some pro bono foundations. I still enjoy golf whenever I find time to play. I try to spend time with our children and our grandchildren. I enjoy watching sports live or on TV.

Any other thing you would like to share with us before we say good-bye?Be happy with what you are blessed with and learn to share some of this with those who are less blessed.

Thank you so much for your time Sir! It’s been a real pleasure.Thank you, Bola. ■

“ Some mouth-watering proposals will be presented to you but avoid any grand schemes that look too good to be true. They usually are!”

As part of the Shell Petroleum Development of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture (SPDC JV) corporate social responsibility efforts, it forged a partnership with telecoms giant, Globacom. The objective of this partnership was to help change the lives of youth and women in the Niger Delta.

The Telecoms Self-Employment Programme (TELSEP) was a pilot partnership designed to support women and youth entrepreneurs in SPDC operational states, by giving them mobile call centres to own and manage as a means of employment. The partnership commenced in 2004 with 36 pioneer beneficiaries and by the end of the partnership in 2012, over 900 full-time employment opportunities had been created thanks to the youth beneficiaries who have now become employers of labour themselves.

Aguma W. Enwubiko’s life changed forever on December 21 2004, when he became one of the 36 pioneer beneficiaries of the SPDC JV/Globacom Telecoms Self Employment Programme (TELSEP).

Armed with technical and business skills training and a TELSEP package which was just an umbrella, recharge cards and a phone, Aguma embarked on a journey without a clear destination other than to do his best with an opportunity of a lifetime.

Just two years later in September, 2006 Aguma was honoured at a ceremony where he was acknowledged as the programme’s best performing beneficiary. And in 2008, he was again honoured for outstanding performance and commitment.

SPDC JV CREATING

OPPORTUNITIES THAT CHANGE LIVES

He kept raising the bar for himself and in June 2012, when the programme was re-launched in its second phase as TELSEP+, Aguma was one of two people picked as best performing beneficiaries. TELSEP+ was a graduation programme which rewarded high performers with a kiosk, a generator and free airtime.

Aguma was not content with one call centre. This go-getter went even further and set up two more, employing three people. With proceeds from his first call center, he was able to diversify his business by buying a cassava grater and a generator set. Just four years after his initial call centre was set up, he had launched BIKO 4 SURE Enterprises, a seven-room suite of stores, and was also breeding chickens.

There was no doubt that Aguma was now a success, with a couple of thriving businesses. But he had never given up on his dream to complete his formal education. In September 2008, he continued where he had stopped and gained admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology to study Civil Engineering.

Fast forward to 2015—Aguma now holds a degree in Civil Engineering, having graduated in 2014, and his business enterprise (call centres, poultry and stores) isn’t his only accomplishment. He has come full circle from an unemployed youth to a successful business and family man with three kids!

“I thank the management of SPDC & Globacom for giving mesuch a wonderful opportunity to participate and benefit from the TELSEP programme. It has given me a name and a professional title in my village, community, local government area and my state as well,” he said. ■


é Aguma graduated as a Civil Engineer graduate in 2014

We all face adversity at some point in our lives. Many of us could probably testify to having faced (or perhaps even still facing ) it in the workplace. This is why ‘Mastering the Marketplace’ is an appropriate read for this season. It can help you not just overcome adversity is an appropriate read for this season. It can help you not just overcome adversity in the workplace but provide a plan for how to achieve excellence in spite of it.

The book which is based on personal experiences and learnings from others articulates how to overcome the inevitable challenges, and crisis that we encounter in life’s marketplace. It advocates building our life and career on strong spiritual foundations and principles. As we do this, we begin to build a solid platform for attaining moral and professional excellence.

The only constant in life is change. Sometimes, change comes dressed up as adversity. The stronger our character; the more mature our actions and reactions to these workplace storms. In his book, Dr. Oyeyinka tries to equip us with the skills we need to develop the strong characters that will keep us in good stead when the wind of adversity comes howling.

“Performance for Survival” is the name of the game in this season. This is the time we should be seeking ways to ‘up our game’ in a bid to perform at levels that help the organisation achieve its business goals in spite of the tough times we are in. So, if you are striving to be relevant in the current working environment; if you want to achieve not just your professional goals but your personal dreams as well, then this book is a must read for you.

There are numerous self-help books out there, but few are as timeless and powerful as ‘The Success Principles’. This book can be used as a roadmap by anyone: oil and gas professionals, bankers, small business owners, teachers, students and even parents. This book touches on every aspect of our lives with Jack Canfield

MASTERING THE MARKETPLACE by Banji O. Oyeyinka

As I encourage you to get a copy of this book, I leave you with these wise words: “Smooth seas do not make for skilled sailors.”

offering practical and inspiring principles to get any aspiring person from where they are to where they want to be.

Do you want to feel more confident on the job? Are you seeking guidance on how to effectively tackle daily challenges at work and at home? Maybe you just want to live with more passion and purpose, and realise your life ambitions? Then read this book. It is not merely a collection of good ideas. It spells out the timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history. And the fundamentals are the same no matter your profession or circumstances.

So, it really doesn’t matter if your goal is to get a high individual performance factor this year or secure that job you applied for; lose weight, buy your dream home or make millions of naira—the principles and strategies are the same. Bottom-line? Do you want to be the first among equals at work and in your personal life? Then go get a copy of this book.

I highly recommend it.

What book? The Success Principles written by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer.

Jack Canfield’s “THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES”

BOOK CORNER


Champions like Super Eagles star Ejike Uzoenyi and U-17 World Cup winner, Akinjide Idowu are examples of talent that have captivated the country after emerging from the NNPC/Shell Cup - a secondary school football competition. For the past 16 years, the competition has helped to discover untapped potentials while they are still in school. With over 3,000 participating schools and directly involving 60,000 students every year, this grassroots tournament has helped youths combine education with sports.

Let’s discover more champions. www.shellnigeria.com

LET’S GO.

LET’S KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL WHILE THEY CHASE THEIR DREAMS.

Champions like Super Eagles star Ejike Uzoenyi and U-17 World Cup winner, Akinjide Idowu are examples of talent that have captivated the country after emerging from the NNPC/Shell Cup - a secondary school football competition. For the past 16 years, the competition has helped to discover untapped potentials while they are still in school. With over 3,000 participating schools and directly involving 60,000 students every year, this grassroots tournament has helped youths combine education with sports.

Let’s discover more champions. www.shellnigeria.com

LET’S KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL WHILE THEY CHASE THEIR DREAMS.

LET’S GO.

Documents

SHELL WORLD AV AVRIL 2014 JUNE 2015RIL 2014