BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Port Harcourt

FOR  the people of Egi community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, there is no better way to express appreciation to Mr Guy Maurice, the out-going Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Total E& P Nigeria limited for his contribution to their well-being: That is to honour him with their presence on the day he was conferred with the coveted traditional title, Uhwo ka Egi, meaning “the Light of Egi land”.

The event was at the palace of the traditional ruler of the kingdom, His Royal Majesty Dr Kingdom Elemuchukwu Elenwa, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland.  The chiefs, women, youths and elders of the community were on ground. Traditional masquerades and dancers were also present to spice up the event. Those present also could not help but laugh and applaud when Mr Maurice, the man of the moment, addressed them in their Egi dialect, something no White man had ever done before.

Before decorating Mr. Maurice, the monarch, His Royal Majesty Sir Elenwa, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland, cleared his throat, while clutching an address he was set to read to the gathering of top management staff of the oil giant and community folks.  The traditional ruler made it clear that his kingdom only confers its chieftaincy titles on those who truly merit them, stressing that Mr. Maurice was the first Managing Director and Chief Executive officer to bag a chieftaincy title of the community.

He said the people of the area were satisfied with the robust relationship that existed between them and the oil giant during his reign. He also lauded Mr. Maurice for the way he handled a gas eruption incident from the facilities of the oil giant in the area. He also praised him for the interventionist’s role the firm played during the flood that displaced several residents and destroyed farmlands.

“Mr. Guy Maurice will not go without being blessed. History is made today as he is the first Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Total E & P Nigeria limited to be coronated with a chieftaincy title of Uhwo ka Egi, signifying ‘the great light of Egi Land’. This is in recognition of his excellent services that have touched lives in the operational areas,” he said.

The traditional ruler further appealed to his successor Mrs. Proust who was at the event to improve on the success of her predecessor in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility. He reminded her that some sons and daughters of the area had been casual staff of the oil giant for decades, adding that effort should be made to regularise their employment.

Among other things, he also appealed to the firm to ensure hundred percent execution of MoUs projects in the area.
Mr. Maurice before formally presenting his successor, Mrs. Proust to the community, thanked them for the honour done to him. He recalled that the firm was voted the best in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility at the 2013 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference by the assembly of oil and gas industry companies because of the strong partnership that existed between the firm and its host communities.

He also recalled how the company and Egi community overcame challenges with solutions mutually provided.
His voice suddenly dropped while reading his address. “It is indeed with mixed feelings that I speak to you on this occasion of my last visit to the Egi community as the Managing director of Total E& P Nigeria limited. My assignment in Nigeria has come to an end. On one hand, it is a very emotional time for me as I will indeed miss all of you and our usual robust discussions on issues mutually affecting us,” he said in a soft tone.
Continuing, he said: ”I now count myself as an Egi man in Diaspora”, a statement that drew applause from the gathering.