By Sunny Canto
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Bayo Ojulari, says the oil and gas sector is committed to staff physical fitness, wellness and collaboration.
Ojulari communicated this on Sunday during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) in Abuja.
The NNPC boss, who is also the Grand Patron of the Games, was represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice-President (EVP), Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd.
Ojulari said the sector placed premium value on the physical and mental wellbeing of its workforce.
“A fit and agile workforce is critical to driving productivity and positioning the nation’s economy for sustainable growth.”
According to him, improved fitness and wellness among workers have contributed significantly to increased production output in the oil and gas industry.
Ojulari noted that such gains ultimately benefitted the country.
“The sector needs staff members that are fit to be able to discharge their duties effectively.
“The oil and gas industry requires an agile workforce to take the nation’s economy to enviable heights, hence the importance of the Games,” Ojulari said.
However, the Federal Capital Territory, also known as Abuja was on a stand-still as Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) commenced her biennial sporting activities tagged: Empowering wellness and ignite productivity.
Meanwhile, the massive turnout of sport enthusiasts that gathered at the Indoor Sport Hall of MKO Abiola Stadium during the remarkable Opening traveled from different parts of Nigeria; thereby giving the City another busy vibes; entertaining swags; glitz and glamor.
According to the Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Sulaiman Sulaiman, said the level of participation reflected the strength, cohesion and collaborative spirit within the industry.
Sulaiman appluaded Ojulari efforts and leadership, sustainning the Games, as well as chief executives and management teams of participating companies for prioritising staff welfare by releasing athletes in spite of demanding operational schedules.
He said the gesture underscored the industry’s recognition of human capital as its most valuable asset.
The LOC chairman assured participants of adequate and comprehensive comprehensive security arrangements in collaboration with relevant agencies.
He added that trained coordinators, qualified technical officials and fully equipped medical teams had been deployed across all venues to ensure safety, fairness and professionalism.
Sulaiman described NOGIG as more than a sporting competition, noting that it served as a platform to promote wellness, strengthen collaboration and enhance productivity across the oil and gas value chain.
Apart from setting up a disciplinary measure to monitor and supervise the tournaments; there's One Thousand, Two Hundred plus contingents from Fifteen organization that are vying and competing for laurels in the 20th edition of Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games within Thirteen sporting events also, medals, trophies will be awarded to those who finish in the podium including huge incentives"
More also, teams like: NNPC, Aardal, ND Western, Chevron, NUPRC, ExxonMobil, PTI, Total Energy, Oando, Shell, NMDPRA, Renaissance, Seplat, NLNG to mention but a few.
The Week-long tournament will feature Tennis, Football; Volleyball, Badminton, Athletics, Scrabble, Table-Tennis, Swimming, Basketball, Golf, Chess, Squash and Eight-Ball Game also known as Snooker.
Adding icing to the cake is the ace comedian, actor and filmmaker: Ayo Makun (AY), sharing the MIC and stage with industry veterans like Fred Bright; MC Sheyi amongst others. Besides the teams Match-Past; colorful outfits; dance competition, there was a memorable and wonderful performance from Heritage Cultural Group; with enough souvenirs; drinks; food as well as Table-Tennis game exhibited by Chinese guest and NNPC General Manager which gave the spectators a thrilling moment.
In summary, if we avail our professionals in the Country with such amazing and juicy opportunities; certainly there will be more talents; skills discovered which can be exported and keep them physically healthy; mentally balanced and psychologically intact till retirement or ageing days.
