The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has led delegates to the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas U.S. to discuss sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future.

Mr Kevin Nwanze, Executive Secretary, PETAN, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Nwanze said that PETAN’s Nigerian pavilion at OTC 2024 would be hosted under the theme, “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future”.

He said that the conference would have more than 200 hours of multidisciplinary discussions and networking events, including a wide range of topics, suited for every participant.

PETAN scribe, however, called for stakeholders’ participation at the 2024 OTC, holding between May 6 and May 9 at the NRG Park, Houston, Texas, US.

According to him, PETAN has been responsible for hosting stakeholders at the OTC for many years.

“The association is calling on government agencies, stakeholders, oil and gas companies, and Nigerian investors to participate at the Nigerian pavilion at the prestigious event in Houston, U.S.

“Participation in the Nigerian pavilion shall deliver a unique opportunity for exhibitors and delegates to interact with global professionals

“As they share their insights on technological advances, energy transition, safety, environmentally focused solutions, and economic and regulatory impacts of the offshore energy sector,” he aded.

Nwanze said: “It allows organisations to engage with world leaders, CEOs, and government officials from around the world, with the chance to create and develop business relationships.

“And also tap into emerging regions vital to offshore development and obtaining recognition necessary for growth and visibility to thousands across the globe.

“Showcase your company’s capabilities to over 1,000 delegates and over 250 companies in the industry.

“Promote products and services to operators and contractors in the local region.

“Gain access to the latest industry news and access to networking opportunities with professional contacts from across the world.

“Network with the upstream, midstream, and downstream organisations and high-profile government officials and key decision-makers in the industry.

“Build and establish new leads as well as entrench a global presence in the industry.

“Get familiar with competitors’ capabilities to stay ahead in the industry,” the statement read.

The OTC 2024 expects over 31,000 energy professionals as attendees, 45 technical sessions, 450 presentations and over 1,300 exhibitors drawn from different countries, including Nigeria.

The Osun Amotekun Corps has arrested a 51-years-old man for allegedly defrauding nine people of N1,597,000 on the pretext of processing a Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) registration and international passports for them.

This is contained in a statement by the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, on Sunday in Osogbo.

Adewinmbi said the suspect, who had been on the run, was arrested in Gbongan area of the state on Tuesday.

He disclosed that Akinola, who is an indigene of Igbara Odo in Ekiti State, collected N1,597,000 at the Oluyole area of Ibadan, Oyo State, from victims in the guise of processing CAC registration and international passport, and absconded.

“The suspect was arrested by the Amotekun Intelligence operatives in Gbongan after a complaint was lodged at our Ayedaade Local Government Command by one of the victims he collected money from at Oluyole Area in Ibadan.

“Our operatives swung into action immediately and were able to detect that the suspect, who had ran away from Ibadan, was in his hometown in Igbara-Odo of Ekiti State, using different telephone numbers to evade arrest.

“We were, however, able to arrest him after a tip-off from his girlfriend, who knows his hotline, and who also help us invite him to Gbongan for a business deal.

“He was promptly arrested after getting to Gbongan and during investigation, we discovered that the suspect goes by different other names such as Ayodeji Harry-young and Samuel Ayodeji with multiple phone numbers and ATM cards bearing different names.

“He also confessed to joining a fraud crime syndicate, aka 4-1-9 gang, in 2003 in Ekiti State,” Adewinmbi said.

The commander said the suspect has been handed over to Amotekun Oyo State Command for further interrogation and prosecution.

Adewinmbi said the arrest underscores the commitment and dedication of the Osun Amotekun Corps to combating crimes, and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that efforts are in top gear to affiliate the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, for the training of high ranking government officials.

The governor made this known at the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, held at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ita-Olowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

He said Permanent Secretaries from the state would be the first to enrol to enable them benefit from the college, which is the brain child of the Awujale.

Prince Abiodun also said that he sought and got the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant the College the full status of the campus of the NIPSS.

“I told Kabiyesi this morning that our Permanent Secretaries will be the first set of students at that Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance, and they will be the first set to benefit from the Awujale’s initiative

“I have further made a case to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow Baba’s school of Governance to become a campus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, a request that Mr President has graciously approved,” he stated.

Abiodun described Oba Adetona as a living legend and a phenomenon whose reign has been a monumental success and a pride to the entire Ijebuland and the state at large.

According to the governor, the monarch represents the beauty and the candour of the ancestral heritage of the Ijebu people, emphasizing that his passion for governance and accessible commitment to education led him to institute the Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance in the Department of Political Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

“This initiative has led and given birth to the establishment of the world class Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“He championed the Ijebu Development Board on poverty eradication that has become a model in the entire country,” Abiodun submitted.

In his sermon titled; “Serve the Lord with Gladness,” Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo said God’s purpose for man was to serve Him unconditionally, noting that no man serves God faithfully without rewards.

Taking his text from Psalms 100 verse 2, the Most Reverend Ademowo regretted however that though God put people in places of authority to serve, most Nigerians do not see themselves as servants once they assume leadership positions, calling for a change of heart to move the nation forward.

He called for national rebirth beginning from the family, saying this would reposition the country and bring back its lost glory.

The cleric described Oba Adetona as a unifier, a monarchical colossus and “a Solomon of our time,” who used the palace to unite all Ijebu sons and daughters irrespective of their political or religious linage.

The Awujale, the Most Reverend Ademowo noted, is a mentor, enabler, whose life is full of monumental achievements in his 64 years on the throne, saying he has touched many lives through endowment programmes.