By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has appointed a former journalist and Public Relations, PR, practitioner, Jerry Amah Jr. as its Acting General Secretary, effective December 5, 2025.

The appointment followed the retirement of the former General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa.

Before his elevation, Amah served as Deputy General Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration at PENGASSAN.

He is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in advancing the union’s programmes and strengthening cordial relations between workers in the oil and gas industry and the wider labour movement. 

His professional background includes service as Assistant General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Director of Marketing and Communication at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, and roles at New Age Newspapers.

Amah holds a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies and a Diploma in Social Development and Administration from the University of Lagos. 

His competencies span crisis communication, marketing communication, editing, media relations, and public relations.

He is a pioneer alumnus of the Labour Migration College in Turin, Italy, and was among the contributors to the development of the governing laws of the Michael Imoudu Labour Institute, the Labour Migration Policy, and the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Amah Jr. is married with six children and has received several honorary degrees and awards.