8th Energy Summit will address tech innovation in oil, gas sector — Solewant GMD

…To confer Posthumous award on NewsDirect Founding Publisher

The 8th Energy Summit hosted by Solewant Group is set to address technological innovation and its benefits to improving the productivity of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi has revealed.

The Annual Energy Summit hosted by Solewant Group will be held on November 29, 2024, at the company’s Industrial park in Port Harcourt.

Themed “Pioneering Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa,” the event is expected to draw a diverse audience, including key figures from the Presidency, National Assembly members, cabinet ministers, petroleum ministers, and representatives from global and African energy companies.

Ewanehi said the summit would spark discussions that would lead to improvements in the energy sector in the areas of growth and efficiency across the energy sector, particularly in Africa.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of Training Institute, Port Harcourt, Dr. Benjamin Ubleble, the Solewant Group’s CEO said the summit will also help drive technological innovation in Nigeria and Africa at large.

According to him, the summit is built around three key objectives: Driving technological innovation, strengthening policy and regulatory support, and fostering collaborative partnerships.

The summit is expected to raise awareness of technological advancements and offer strategies that will boost production capacity, create insights into policy updates, and open opportunities for collaborative ventures.

Ewanehi said, “Our aim is to spark discussions that can lead to measurable improvements in our energy sector, exploring not only ways to boost oil production but also how to enhance the sustainability, security, and resilience of our energy infrastructure and the environment. This aligns with the government’s vision to establish Nigeria as a strong and reliable energy producer.”

Meanwhile, Solewant Group is equally set to confer on NewsDirect Media Group’s Founding Publisher, Lt. Prince (Dr) Samuel Ibiyemi, a Posthumous award for his contribution to developmental journalism in the oil and gas sector.

Prince (Dr) Samuel Ibiyemi founded the Nigerian NewsDirect newspaper first as an online tabloid in 2009 before transitioning to a print newspaper in 2010. A well respected energy economist, media entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ibiyemi made his mark in the oil and gas industry, distinguishing himself by churning out quality reports of the industry. His expertise and commitment to development earned him membership of various committees and organisations such as the Nigeria Gas Association (NGA), member technical drafting committee of the PIB (now PIA 2020), amongst others.

In a letter addressed to the family, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi noted that the company has deemed it worthy of the Late Ibiyemi to be recognised for his invaluable contributions to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

“The Late Ibiyemi is sorely missed. He was a champion of local content and provided support for many companies like ours when little or nobody was paying attention to us.”

The NewsDirect Founding Publisher will be honoured at its Annual Energy Summit on December 29, 2024.