From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region are set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of oil discovery in Nigeria.
Oil was discovered in 1956 at present-day Bayelsa State, with the first oil well, named Oloibiri Oil Well 1, located in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The organisers of the event, Mahogany 21st Century Concepts, stated that the event, tagged ‘Oloibiri Well Discovery Platinum Jubilee Anniversary’, will bring together a full range of stakeholders, including top government functionaries, local and international oil and gas operators, community leaders, and financial institutions.
The Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany 21st Century, Eyinimi Omoruzi, disclosed that the milestone event will be an avenue to honour the contributions of the oil industry to Nigeria’s economic development.
According to him, it will also create the right atmosphere to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the industry, as well as seek ways to promote sustainable development and environmental stewardship, and foster dialogue on the oil industry’s future trajectory.
Omoruzi further disclosed that the theme for the celebration is ‘70 Years of Oil Discovery in Nigeria: Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future’, stressing that it will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions, a documentary film premiere, an oil industry award, and an international marathon.
“The event is put together to commemorate 70 years of oil discovery, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s economic and industrial history,” Omoruzi added.
Recently, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) handed over the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre to Julius Berger for the construction of the museum.