Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence in Leadership by the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in recognition of his visionary leadership and notable contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The award was presented on Wednesday during the 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST), held at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Towers in Abuja.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the honour to the people of Delta State, whom he described as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy economy.
“To be recognised by an institution of PTI’s stature, the foremost centre for human capacity development in the hydrocarbon sector is not just a personal honour but a collective one.
“I accept this award on behalf of our resilient people whose sacrifice and faith continue to drive our development agenda, ” he said.
Addressing the conference theme, “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment, and Governance,” Oborevwori called for a paradigm shift from the paradox of wealth and deprivation in the Niger Delta to an era defined by inclusive growth, environmental justice, and institutional reform.
He reaffirmed that his administration’s ‘MORE Agenda’ which focuses on Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security, was designed to redress historical imbalances and promote sustainable progress.
According to him, peace and security remain the cornerstone of his government’s development strategy.
“We have prioritised dialogue with community leaders and industry operators to foster trust and stability, ensuring Deltans are not bystanders but active participants in the oil and gas value chain,” he said.
The governor also emphasised his administration’s collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and PTI to build local capacity and equip Deltans with skills relevant to the evolving energy landscape.
On environmental protection, Oborevwori reiterated his stance that oil operations in the state must align with global best practices to safeguard fragile ecosystems.
“A healthy environment is essential to the survival of both our people and the industry.
“PTI is not just our neighbour; it is a strategic partner in building a responsible and inclusive hydrocarbon economy, ” he said.
He however thanked the PTI Governing Council and management for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to further deepen collaboration with the institute and other stakeholders.
“This honour strengthens our resolve to build a sector that powers today’s economy while securing a diversified energy future for Nigeria and Africa,” he concluded.
Earlier, PTI Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Onoji, commended the governor for his consistent support to the institute, highlighting the State’s recent donation of operational vehicles to enhance PTI’s logistics and field operations.
Onoji noted that PTI, which has produced more than 55,000 skilled professionals since inception, remained Africa’s premier centre for training, research, and technical capacity development in the hydrocarbon sector.
Observers at the conference said the award underscored Governor Oborevwori’s growing reputation as a leader committed to responsible governance, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
