By Kenneth Ehigiator
Smarting from its acquisition of a stake in Shell Petroleum Development Corporation’s OML 26 in October last year, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, FHN, Limited has appointed Mr. Constantine Ogunbiyi as its Chief Executive Officer.

FHN was established in 2009 with the objective of increasing indigenous involvement in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry by acquiring and developing substantial oil and gas assets in Nigeria from the joint ventures between the Nigerian government and international operating companies.

Ogunbiyi’s appointment followed a request from the company’s Board of Directors to Afren Plc that he be released to focus on the growth and development of FHN, as the Company seeks to establish itself as a leading indigenous player in the upstream oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Mr Ogunbiyi was appointed as an Executive Director of Afren on January 3, 2008, and was part of the management team that established the Company in late 2004.

Ogunbiyi said of his appointment:  “I am very excited at the opportunity to lead a company with the growth potential of FHN, at a time when indigenous involvement in the upstream sector is a clear focus of government.”

“I look forward to working with our distinguished Board of Directors on the challenge of creating a truly world class Nigerian oil and gas company that can compete with the biggest and best companies in the sector.”

In his role as Executive Director he was responsible for business development, growth and strategy at the Company and was instrumental in the establishment of FHN, its capital raising efforts and its subsequent acquisition of an interest in OML 26 in Nigeria.

He is expected to bring his leadership experience to bear in helping grow FHN into the leading indigenous energy company in Nigeria, in line with the company’s vision.

Reacting to the appointment, Chairman of Afren, Egbert Imomoh, said Ogunbiyi had made outstanding contributions to the company, stressing that his appointment would strengthen the relationship between First Hydrogen and Afren, its technical partner.

Chairman of Afren, commented:

“FHN has a very exciting future following the acquisition of OML 26 and we are committed to supporting the rapid growth of the company and the Nigerian indigenous oil and gas sector in every way we can.

“We believe FHN has the potential to take a leadership position in the indigenous production sector in Nigeria,” Imomoh said.