Critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy converged on Asaba, Delta State, today to chart pathways out of poverty in Nigeria and across Africa, as renowned political economist and management expert, Professor Pat Utomi, marked his 70th birthday.
The high-level colloquium, organised by the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) in honour of the septuagenarian, brought together leading figures from academia, traditional institutions, politics, and the oil and gas industry.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Obi Alfred Achebe; 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; Founder and Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie; and other notable petroleum industry leaders including Dr. Austin Avuru, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, and Chief Lemon Kpea.
The event, themed “Overcoming Poverty in Africa: Did We Get It Wrong? What Next?”, attracted academics, traditional rulers, religious leaders, upstream and downstream oil and gas operators, as well as political leaders from across the country.
Setting the tone for the discourse, Professor Utomi, a professor at the Lagos Business School, said his decision to celebrate his 70th birthday in Delta State, in addition to Lagos, was deliberate—aimed at creating opportunities for young people in his home state.
“I decided to bring the lecture to Delta State so that young people around here can see opportunities they can pursue and live more meaningful lives,” Utomi said, noting that the lecture series was designed to expose participants to business and employment prospects within the oil and gas industry.
Reflecting on his greatest achievements at 70, the celebrated economist attributed his journey to divine grace, stating simply that “the grace of God drives it all.”
Earlier, a panel discussion on opportunities in the oil industry—moderated by Professor Utomi—featured industry experts who examined prospects, operations, and challenges in the sector, with references to Nigeria and Ghana.
Speaking at the panel, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, a production engineer and Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, described the oil and gas industry as highly lucrative, with significant opportunities for Nigerians in both the upstream and downstream sectors.
Ogbechie urged Nigerians to take advantage of the sector, particularly the downstream segment, which he described as the “lowest-hanging fruit” for investors.
“I have seen significant transformation in Nigerians taking advantage of opportunities in the oil and gas sector to invest and take control,” he said.
He recalled that over three decades ago, downstream operations were dominated by international oil companies such as Shell, British Petroleum, Mobil, Total, and Texaco, noting that today, Nigerian companies have largely taken over.
“Today, many Nigerians have stepped forward to take control. The only international oil company still playing in the downstream sector is Total,” Ogbechie added.
In his remarks, Spokesman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Isaac Balami, described the colloquium as a landmark event, celebrating not just the age of Professor Utomi but the depth of his influence.
“We celebrate not only the years of Professor Pat Utomi, but the depth of impact within them—his mentorship, moral clarity, patriotism, and enduring faith in the potential of people and institutions,” Balami said, adding that Utomi’s legacy lives on through the Centre for Values in Leadership and the many lives it has transformed.
The celebration later moved to Ibusa town in Delta State, where a thanksgiving mass was held at a Catholic Church, with Nigerians gathering in large numbers to thank God for the life and 70th birthday of Professor Pat Utomi.
If you want this tightened for print, adapted for online headlines, or localized for a Delta-based newspaper, say the word and I’ll tune it perfectly.
