Mr. Osagie Okunbor, Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, is set to retire this month after 39 years of service.
Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, Communications Manager of the multinational oil and gas company, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.
Afam-Anadu also disclosed that the pre-retirement event for the retiree commenced on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, including government functionaries, regulators, and chief executives of indigenous and international oil companies at the event highlighted his contributions to the industry.
She noted that this was particularly with regards to the development of the oil and gas industry in the country, especially Nigerian content, as well as his key roles in Shell’s investments in deep-water and integrated gas in the nation.
Mr. Marno de Jong, Executive Vice President, Nigeria, in his remarks described Okunbor as a respected leader in Shell and the broader industry whose wise counsel and insights have proved invaluable.
According to him, over a career that has lasted nearly 40 years, Okunbor has related with a wide range of stakeholders—from communities to industry leaders—with empathy and excellent relational skills.
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“We will all miss his presence, and we wish him a most enjoyable retirement,” de Jong said.
Okunbor said it had been an honour of a lifetime serving Nigeria on a global platform offered by Shell.
According to him, Shell’s values of honesty, integrity, and respect for people have been useful in his modest contributions.
A graduate of the University of Benin, Okunbor joined Shell in 1986 and has served in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brunei, and the Netherlands.
He became Managing Director of the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd nd Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria in 2015.
His previous roles include Vice President, Infrastructure and Logistics, Nigeria; Vice President, Human Resources, Sub-Saharan Africa; and Senior Advisor, Upstream International Operated Business.
Okunbor has also been a key player in the Nigerian energy industry, serving as two-term Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Industry.
He received the Dr. Alirio Parra Lifetime Achievement Award in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry in 2022, among several other honours.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria learnt that Marno de Jong will take on the additional responsibilities of Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria.
NAN
