It was double honours for leading indigenous oil company Moni Pulo Limited and its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, at the 2023 Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Awards. Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs and Moni Pulo shone brightly having been nominated for two highly coveted prizes at the awards ceremony on Thursday, June 8, at the Arena, FUPRE, Effurun, Delta State.
While the Chairman/CEO won Africa’s Leading Indigenous Energy Solutions Provider of the Year Award, Moni Pulo Limited took the honour of the Indigenous Oil & Natural Gas Exploration & Production Company of the Year.
At the awards ceremony, Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, represented by Moni Pulo’s Manager, Administration and Security, Chief Clifford Darego, thanked the award organisers for the honour. She said it was gratifying that Moni Pulo’s excellent work as an innovative player in the oil and gas industry was being noticed.
Dr Lulu-Briggs said Moni Pulo’s vision, “To Serve as a Reference for Excellence in the oil and gas industry” which was laid down by our founder, my beloved husband of blessed memory, High Chief Dr O.B. Lulu-Briggs, is taking root. 31 years later, we have become an innovative player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and continue to leave positive impacts in the Niger Delta, our main operations area.”
She added: “Apart from proactively and efficiently managing our mature field to sustain viable production for over 22 years, we have successfully carried out various exploration and redevelopment drilling projects. Over the years, we have expanded our portfolio of assets by acquiring additional oil and gas assets at various phases of exploration.”
Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs further noted as a proudly Nigerian company from the Niger Delta, that Moni Pulo cares about the environment and the upliftment of its host communities.
“In this regard, with the launch of the Abana Host Communities Development Trust in April this year, we became one of the first in the industry to comply with the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The Trust will serve our Effiat and Mbo host communities in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State,” she said.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of Moni Pulo also commented on the removal of petroleum subsidy, advising the government to cushion the effect on Nigerians.
She said, “The subsidy is a good initiative, but its implementation has been fraught with unsustainable irregularities. Having witnessed its abuse over the years, we understand the current administration’s decision. However, strategic and impactful palliatives, including tax breaks and exemptions, are needed to cushion the effects of the removal on Nigerians, most of whom are already feeling the pinch. There should be a middle ground where the government benefits and the people are not further impoverished.”
Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, who acknowledged the company’s board, management and staff for its accomplishments, said the awards will continue to “motivate us to continue to give our best so that we can fulfil our nation-building obligations and do much more for our communities and humanity.”
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUPRE, Professor Rim-Rukeh Akpofure, explained that the awards recognise individuals and organisations contributing to the growth of the oil and gas industry, Nigeria’s economic mainstay. FUPRE, the first petroleum university in Africa and the African Child Foundation organised the awards which recognise outstanding achievements in the oil and gas industry. It also celebrates commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.
The FUPRE Awards is the latest for Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs, a trailblazing entrepreneur and philanthropist. She garnered several honours, including the Vanguard Newspaper Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Daily Independent Personality of the Year Award, Silverbird Group’s Extraordinary Achievement Award and Kalabari Icons Award in 2022.
Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs got the Outstanding Woman of the Year Award at the BusinessDay Nigerian Business Leadership Awards in 2021.
