General
Rigworld Group Sweeps Awards At 2017 GOGA Night
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 4th Ghana Oil and Gas Awards (GOGA) ceremony has been held once again to recognise achievements of individuals, local and international companies who have distinguished themselves in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.
GOGA also rewarded those that have played significant roles in moving the industry forward.
Speaking to Newsghana.com.gh, the Director of Xodus Communications Limited, organizers of the event, Richard Abbey Jnr, said the event, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra on December 8, 2017, served as a “platform for the Oil and Gas industry to demonstrate and celebrate the advances made in the areas of environment stewardship, efficiency, innovation, leadership, corporate social responsibility and health and safety.”
According to him, every event has its own vision and purpose, just like the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards (GOGA).
The annual event, dubbed ’10 years of Oil Discovery, 4 years of celebrating excellence’, aimed to give a perfect opportunity to raise the profile of stakeholders within the context of this important industry, gain peer recognition and further heighten visibility with a professional audience.
Abbey disclosed that 110 entries were received from 35 companies and the nominees represented a cross-section of the oil and gas stakeholders, ranging from government, upstream, midstream, downstream, regulators, civil society, financial institutions, insurers and many others.
Meanwhile, about 35 companies and six individuals competed for the various categories of the awards.
The participating companies included AI Energy Group, Eagles Petroleum, Damco Rigworld, Fidelity Bank Ltd, Ecobank, Frimps Oil Co. Ltd, Vivo Energy, Total Petroleum, and Ghana Oil Company Ltd.
The others were Consolidated Shipping Agencies Gh, BAJ & Freight Logistics Ltd, Jonmoore International Ltd and Apex Shipping & Commercial Company Ltd., K Horgle Transport &Co Ltd, CEO Oil & Gas Company Ltd, Modec Ghana, ENI Ghana Exploration & Production Company, Rigworld International Services limited.
The rest were All Nations University College, Petrosol, Tema Fuel Company, Cirrus Oil, Puma Energy, Ebony Oil and Gas, Blue Ocean Investment Co. Ltd Go Energy, Hills Oil Marketing Company Ltd, Transatlantic Catering Services, Adonai Shipping Ltd, Modec Ghana Ltd, Kosmos Energy ,Top Oil, Tullow Oil, Seaweld Engineering Ltd, Petroleum Solution, GNPC-Technip, Lain’e Services, Fircroft Recruitment Agency, Natural Resource Governance Institute and many others.
Rigworld International Services Limited was initially founded as an Upstream Oil and Gas Service and Logistics Company that operates with the vision of becoming the leading service company providing excellent services to all its customers in the country and beyond. Over the years the Rigworld Group has expanded and grown from strength to strength with the launching of a world class training facility in Takoradi for the sector this past November.
Recognised for its hard work and dedication by all standards in the oil and gas industry, the Rigworld Group gained seven slots for major nominations for this year’s award ceremony.
With a team of highly trained and experienced men and women who go to every length to sustain the company’s high records in the industry, the Rigworld Group swept four prestigious awards at the 2017 GOGA.
Damco Rigworld got the Promising Oil and Gas Company of the year award, Transatlantic Catering Services, its offshore catering service, got the Oil and Gas Service Company of the year.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, grabbed the CEO of the year (Upstream) award and Indigenous project of the year award for the newly opened Rigworld Training Center, marking a significant achievement.
Other award winning companies included All Nations University College, Petrosol, Tema Fuel Company, Cirrus Oil, Blue Ocean Investment Co. Ltd Go Energy, Hills Oil Marketing Company Ltd, Transatlantic Catering Services, Adonai Shipping Ltd, Modec Ghana Ltd, Kosmos Energy ,Top Oil, Tullow Oil, Seaweld Engineering Ltd, Petroleum Solution, GNPC-Technip, Lain’e Services, Fircroft Recruitment Agency, Vivo Energy, ENI Ghana Exploration & Production Company, NPA and many more.
In attendance were the Deputy Minister of Energy in Charge of Petroleum, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister of Energy in Charge of Finance and Infrastructure, Hon. Joseph Cudjoe, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO, Chamber of Telecommunications, CEO – NPA, Hassan Tampuli, Hon. Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, Minister for Business Development, Mr. Agyeman Duah, President of AOMCs, CSOs, Captains of Industries, to name a few.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
