Mr. Austin Ojunekwu Avuru
Mr. Austin Ojunekwu AvuruChief Executive Officer

Austin Avuru, a co-founder of Seplat, was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2010. He obtained a Geology degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980 and a post-graduate diploma in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1992.

Prior to joining Seplat, Mr. Avuru spent twelve years at NNPC beginning in 1980, where he held various positions including wellsite geologist, production seismologist and reservoir engineer. In 1992, he joined Allied Energy Resources in Nigeria, a pioneer deepwater operator, where he worked for the next ten years as exploration manager and technical manager. In 2002, Mr. Avuru established Platform Petroleum Limited and held the role of managing director until 2010, when he left to take up the CEO position at Seplat. He is also a director of MPI, which is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris.

Mr. Avuru has served the oil and gas industry in various capacities including his work as the technical co-ordinator for the review of the industry’s memorandum of understanding, membership of the ministerial committee on the restructuring of the DPR and his role as a consultant to the Senate committee on petroleum resources between 2000 and 2003. He also chaired the technical subcommittee that drafted the policy blueprint which then formed the basis of the Nigerian Content Act of 2010.

MR. VALENTINE OZIGBO, MD/CEO

Valentine Ozigbo is the Manging Director and CEO of Transnational Hotels and Tourism Services Ltd, which owns Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja and Transcorp Metropolitan Hotels and Conferencing Limited, owner of Transcorp Hotels Calabar. He is a banker and accountant with over 20 years of experience in commercial, retail, investment and international banking.

Valentine graduated from Lancaster University, UK, where he received a Distinction in M.Sc Finance. He also has an MBA in Banking & Finance and a B.Sc in Accounting both from the University of Nigeria (UNN).

Prior to joining Transcorp, Valentine was General Manager and Divisional Head in charge of Global Transaction Banking at Keystone Bank Plc, successor to Bank PHB. He covered product development, international business, global trade and eBusiness. Before then, he was the Divisional Head of International Banking and Head of Global Strategic Alliances at United Bank for Africa Plc. Valentine has also worked with FSB Int. Bank Plc, now Fidelity Bank Plc, Continental Trust Bank Ltd, now part of UBA and Diamond Bank Plc.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Afreximbank appoints Kanayo Awani as MD for Intra-African Trade

Awani's primary responsibility is to assist Afreximbank implement its strategy to increase industrialization and intra-Africa trade by 50 percent in the next five years.

Kanayo Awani, Managing Director, Intra-African Trade Initiative, Afreximbank

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has appointed Kanayo Awani Managing Director of its Intra-African Trade Initiative.

The Cairo-based bank said in a statement on Sunday that Awani, a Nigerian national, will have the primary responsibility of assisting the Bank in ensuring the attainment of its Intra-African Trade Strategy, which is aimed at increasing industrialization and intra-Africa trade by at least 50 percent in the next five years.

“Ms. Awani will lead Afreximbank’s efforts to raise the level of intra-regional trade in Africa by 50 per cent in the next five years to reach a trade volume of $250 billion,” said Afreximbank President, Dr. Benedict Oramah. “Kanayo brings many years of strong real-world experience in intra-African trade finance to this important assignment.”

Until her appointment, Awani was Afreximbank’s Director of Trade Finance and Branches Department, which manages the Bank’s business development efforts in trade finance across Africa. The appointment takes effect on May 18th, according to the statement by Afreximbank.

Prior to joining Afreximbank in 2009, Awani served for many years with Citigroup. Her last position was Vice President and Head of Industrial and Commercial Corporates at Citigroup Nigeria.

Awani holds a Masters degree in Public Administration, specializing in International Trade and Finance, from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, United States. She also holds the Edward S. Mason Fellowship in Public Policy and Management from the same university. She is also a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The funniest part is that one pasted bambata as a company and another pasted a boutique as a company! clear the way let me just faint. They call expert photographers to take pictures for them and they make it look as if they do anything more than retailing in the place. If we start retailing pictures here, you will not see this thread again. I bet you.

If the Igbo's start posting retail outlets like they have started posting in the other thread, ordinary ladipo market will fill up the whole space. I just weak.

deomello:



You can pinpoint a million ibo if you like, but I'm talking about Benneth Korie.


I was actually expecting your facts and proof that says he is ibo, not the same meaningless talk.

Please learn and stop hating.

deomello:






I said stop making things up.



The man was the National Chairman of the Oil and Gas branch of NUPENG before setting up his company in Abuja. He was Comrade Benneth Korie and they still call him comrade korie, even on empire energy website. Managing Director/CEO
Comrade Benneth korie.



You people need to stop lying and claiming what doesn't belong to you.

Are u something else? I can still pinpoint three Igbo names there by just looking at it. This your point looks like when they set exam for you and u do not have answer, you just bring up long epistle for the lecturer to give you scores for speaking English.

It seems you are not too good with names of different tribes in Nigeria that's why you are arguing like this.

I don't want to soil my monicker with this kind of lame argument please.

deomello:
[s][/s]



Listen to this funny joker.


Stop making up rubbish.

Why are u insulting me. I thought u wanted to learn something new. Korie, okorie and okoye are the same depending on your dialect. stop being overtly emotional about these things.

deomello:




So, every delta is ibo just because they have ibo communities in Delta state?

What is the meaning of Korie in ibo language? Please tell us.


Fraudulent people..

Korie means a child born in orie market day. Now what do u have to say about that.

deomello:
[s][/s]



Empire Energy Limited, MD/CEO BENNETH KORIE

Another scam, fraudulent and 419 claim.

The man is not ibo, he's from Delta state.


Why do you people lie and engage in fraudulent activities so much?

whose tribe bears korie? are you telling us that there are no Igbo's in delta state? Just go to bed. no false information except your weak attempt to change facts.

If we can get the attention of our brothers here, we can use this medium as a rallying point to build our home through innovations and expertise.

As you can see, we have the right minds.

laudate:

Supply the link or url to your story, about Afonja's promise to exchange lands with Alimi, so that everyone can read and verify. You were not born during the days of Afonja and Alimi, so that means you were not a witness to their agreement. How come Ilorin indigenes on NL cannot corroborate your so-called version of history?

An internet link where the same Yoruba's trying to claim Ilorin will edit to favor them? how many Hausa's write these things my friend.

if you need history in books and artifacts come to kano museum, you will enjoy history.

laudate:

The history you are repeating on this thread, is different from the history of Ilorin as it is told by indigenes of that town. From what I have heard and read, there were no promises of land by Afonja to Alimi, in any way. Is this something you made up? Like I said before, why don't you provide a link to the source of your story, instead of telling lies up here?

If you need history, read from the invaders too. Afonja promised alimi that if he fights with him, he will give them lands in Ilorin. When he became victorious against the Oyo empire, he wanted to renege on his promise. That was why the Hausa's have laid claim to the state.

Moreover, kwara state is not a complete Yoruba state. we have the jebba ppl, the gwanara ppl and other ethnic groups in the state. What do u do about them?

freshest4live:

So with urhobo as largest ethnic group in Delta state, and with many other ethnic groups in the state, why do you still call all of Delta state Biafran? Why not claim Asaba or Anioma lands only.

Why haven't your government carved out anioma state since the days of Adam? We did not say delta state should come with us but anioma.

No one is fighting for other ethnic groups there.

laudate:


Where did you read this convoluted part of your history? When did Afonja promise Alimi, lands in exchange for his help in Ilorin? Or did you just formulate this aspect? Talk quickly now, so that non-Yorubas like us can learn, whether it is true or not. It would help if you can provide a historical link or url to this your strange historical tale, so that everyone can read from the source.

Yorubas will not say I am lying. And when you ask for the history of Ilorin from fulanis or hausas , they will tell you the truth. Stop listening or reading from one side of history and come to kano museum to see history for yourself and listen to how they took over Ilorin. An average Hausa man will tell you that they cannot cede Ilorin to yorubas because its their land.

Alimi fought for afonja with his own ppl doing business with then in Ilorin. I know my history, do you know yours?

bakynes:

That is not the true story, Afonja is a rebel commander of the Oyo Empire (Balogun) he went to war with the Alaafin of Oyo and not Ooni. He left his Alimi his Fulani friend in charge of his hometown (Ilorin) which he was ruling. Before he was back some of his Chiefs collected money from Alimi and asked him to be their Ruler, when Afonja came back successful from the War, it was already taken over by Alimi and large part of his Army was already killed in battle he had to give up Ilorin.

I am Yoruba I agree the Ilorin throne has been given to the Fulani and today has a mix of Yoruba,Nupe(which has its lands close by) and Fulani but other parts of Kwara state is 100% Yoruba and will go with us if we are to go back to Regionalism or Ooduwa nation with parts of Old Kwara state in Kogi and Niger states that is Jebba and Kabba respectively.

Do you know the people staying in gwanara, kwara state?

If we have igbo people in delta state (majority), rivers state (majority), cross river state (minority), akwa ibom state (minority), edo state (minority), then when you bring those population together as one, you still say igbos do not make one of the major ethnic groups in south south?

Tell yourselves the truth for once.

Afonja said to alimi 'If you help me fight my enemies, I will give you lands in Ilorin', that was an agreement duly signed by afonja and alimi. Afonja was the owner of ilorin lands and he gave it out to alimi, a fulani man from the north. Based on normal yorubas not being able to keep to their agreement, he was successful in fighting the ooni of ife and their armies but he later did not want to keep to his promise, that was why alimi called for help from the sokoto caliphate to chase out afonja and his brothers from ilorin totally.

You should be thankful that the alimis did not want to destroy your people completely by allowing them return to their lands. This is one of the problem of westernization, it is giving small people mind against their masters up north.

bakynes:

I agree they may not be Minorities in Rivers but they are definitely not Majority as well.

Point is don't carve out the entire state for Biafra since you know the states are multi-ethnic just go with the Igboid groups in those states.

Don't force, Ijaw,Ogoni,Kalabari in Rivers don't force Urhobo,Itsekiri,Ijaw in Delta with you.

Kwara is a Yoruba state, Parts of Kogi and Niger carved out from the Old Kwara state are Yoruba lands.

Delta and Rivers is not an Igbo state though Igbo lands carved out from Old Imo state is in Rivers and Parts of Igboland extends to Delta and Benue.

In Delta state, which ethnic group is bigger than anioma apart from urhobo which we can still even argue their population with respect with the numbers of anioma people. The major reason why those other ethnic group have any say in delta state politics is because they come together to vote their own as governor whenever there is election in the state but to say that itshekiri or isoko is bigger than anioma shows that you do not know the population distribution of the different ethnic groups in delta state.

Afonja said to alimi 'If you help me fight my enemies, I will give you lands in Ilorin', that was an agreement duly signed by afonja and alimi. Afonja was the owner of ilorin lands and he gave it out to alimi, a fulani man from the north. Based on normal yorubas not being able to keep to their agreement, he was successful in fighting the ooni of ife and their armies but he later did not want to keep to his promise, that was why alimi called for help from the sokoto caliphate to chase out afonja and his brothers from ilorin totally.

You should be thankful that the alimis did not want to destroy your people completely by allowing them return to their lands. This is one of the problem of westernization, it is giving small people mind against their masters up north.

gberra:
Yoruba should leave their ancestral lands of Kwara & Kogi?. Is this supposed to be a joke?

Is Rivers, Benue, Delta, or Calabar your ancestral land?.. Are they biafrans in language, culture, or historical heritage. Aside border affinity, you share Nothing in common.
Yorubas in the NC region are a completely different kettle of fish. Crackass Oloripelebe.

I want you to be smart please and when you answer, think very well before answering this question.

Who created the name rivers, delta, benue? Is it the people or the Nigerian government.

bakynes:
The situation is quite different Kanu is trying to claim the whole of SS or the whole of Rivers,Delta and Benue as part of Biafra. That is where the problem is, when we all know Igbo groups in these states are minority.

Of course the right thing to do is to form your Biafra with the SE states and the Igbo groups in those states.

But the case of Kwara is different,Kwara is a Yoruba state in the NC and part of Kogi and Niger states Kabba and Jebba respectively.

The problem is Nnamdi Kanu trying to claim people that are not Igbos into his Biafra.

Which ethnic group in delta state is bigger than anioma is delta state apart from urhobo.

Which ethnic group is bigger than ikwerre in rivers state, please say it.

freshest4live:

Delta state is multi ethnic, is kwara multi ethnic?

Kwara is a multiethnic state

aniomafirstson:


Leave those Afonja descendants they are confused

no wonder Afonja sold their lands and destinies for a plate of ewedu

That's one of the major reasons I stopped arguing with people here. Very few intelligent people.

gberra:
You're fantastically confused & dimwitted. Need I remind you that Kwara was under the Old Oyo Empire. Aside ilorin every other surrounding towns has a sitting Oba.A Yoruba land by nature entrenched in Yoruba Culture, the same of which cannot be said of Igbos who are concentrated minorities in the Niger delta.
Have a toast to your delusion. You're peasants among the deltans.

If you call anioma, ndoni, ekpeye, asa and ikwerre minorities in south south, then you know nothing about south south.

gberra:
Yoruba should leave their ancestral lands of Kwara & Kogi?. Is this supposed to be a joke?

Is Rivers, Benue, Delta, or Calabar your ancestral land?.. Are they biafrans in language, culture, or historical heritage. Aside border affinity, you share Nothing in common.
Yorubas in the NC region are a completely different kettle of fish. Crackass Oloripelebe.

Who called those states the names they currently bear? Are they the names they were called 1000years ago? because a military head of state created a multiethnic state, that means a part migrated to the said location.

These guys are less intelligent than I thought.

If they start insulting us now, you will not know that you started it. The way our parents allow you all to grow outside our culture is making many of you misbehave, gosh!

Too loud and less intelligent.

Atouke:

Same midset you are fighting the north about. Who think they are better than everyone in Nigeria.
So you are better than Akwa ibom?
Is This how you will run your biafra? With your superiority complex?

Please, I wasn't talking about akwa ibomites but the young man going from pillar to post insulting Igbo's.

There was never a place a ridiculed his state nor tribe. So please don't quote me wrong.

Amarabae:
why do you allow the guy to deceive you. He is not from Akwaibom/Crossriver. We know the region he is pained by this news.

Thank you
I detest ppl hating because they have internet.

NtoAkwaIbom:


We get common sense..
We are not Zombies
we don't worship a fellow human
we are not tribalistic as to see others as lesser humans
we don't worship money..
We don't protest in solidarity of Saraki, Methuh and oda corrupt leaders.
We don't stay in Africa, the cradle of civilization and the origin of man... and claim to be of Hebrew descent...
We don't package Casava starch and sell as drugs.
We don't import fake tires, knowing that human live is worth more than money.

We don't push drugs at the risk of firing squad
We are not the ones dat fill 99% of Africans caught for pushing drugs..

To be continued...

Do you know that an average Igbo man is more intelligent than you?
Do you know that 80% of your acquisition in Nigeria was gotten through an Igbo man.
Do you know that those fake tyres and original tyres were gotten through an Igbo man. if you have a car and you have changed your car tyres, then its most probable that it was gotten from an Igbo man?
Do you know that 60% of drugs you have swallowed all your life was brought in through the help of an Igbo man?
Do you know that the highest buyers of real estate in akwa ibom is from the Igbo's?
Do you know that there is nothing you have that an Igbo man doesn't have?

You better respect these people, no matter how bad you see them, they have played important role in your very existence today.

NtoAkwaIbom:



hahahahahaha
see this Ipob Miscreant, It is imperative that to fight the North in an Equal political scenerio, we need to make friends...

You feel, that if udom says he likes Biafra that all Aks will follow him as Zombies ?
"Someone ones said dat the air u Guys breath in the East blocks common sense and reasoning"
I can't help believin..
#Akwa Ibom Ayaiya

Wait! Just name one person in the southeast that you are better than. You guys just pop out from nowhere be throwing jabs at people who are better than you. All because of oil?

What other thing in the existence of man are you better than the average Igbo man. Say it!

Fifthcolumnist:


What he means is the petro-industry in the PH and the SS basically feeds Nigeria. It's ridiculously absurd to compare them, except you're taking about the variety of industries, in which case Ogun has a lot.

But in terms of size and out put the oil industry beats every other Industry in Nigeria, even telecoms. You have to feel or see it for your self to understand.

What many of these guy do not understand is that a state that houses one of the biggest assets in Nigeria cannot be compared to mushroom industries that cannot boast of a billion dollars turnover in a year.

Apart from the big name industries in the city, we have numerous engineering servicing firms and companies that they do not know.

Like someone said earlier, having numerous hamlets doesn't qualify you to have a city but having skyscrapers.