* As JV Attains 2 Million Safe Man-Hours

By Egufe Yafugborhi

EKET – THE NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture (JV) Technical Training Centre (TTC) on Tuesday marked 30 years of grooming world class technicians among local talent to meaningfully boost Nigeria’s industrial and energy development to the fulfillment that the vision is being well accomplished.

At the Graduation of its Apprentice Group 13 held at the Center in Eket, Akwa Ibom state, stakeholders celebrated that in three decades of the TTC, many among over 850 beneficiaries to have passed through the facility so far were already taking leadership in the industry home and abroad.

Themed ‘From Roots to Results – Three Decades of Growth,”, the anniversary which attracted industry, leaders, community partners, government representatives and families of graduating apprentices also witnessed Seplat’s milestone attainment of 2 Million Incident-Free Offshore Man-Hours.

Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, represented by Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operations Officer, captured the moment as “a journey that began thirty years ago and has evolved into something exceptional.”

Aligning the anniversary theme with the transformational path the TTC has traveled since established,  Brown reflected, “The TTC was built on a bold belief that developing local talent would strengthen operational excellence and shape the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape. Those were our roots, and today, the results speak for themselves.”

Measuring the achievements and enduring impact across the industry, he highlighted that the Center, since inception, has trained more than 850 technicians, many of whom now hold leadership within and outside Nigeria. 

These milestones, the CEO noted, “are not just statistics -they represent transformed lives, strengthened communities, and a stronger Nigerian workforce.”

To the graduants, Brown charged, “You are entering a world that is dynamic and competitive, but you are ready, equipped, not only with technical expertise, but with the mindset and values that define excellence.”

On scoring two million incident-free man-hours in Seplat Offshore operations, Brown said the feat reflects the company’s uncompromising safety culture and continuous investment in safe work systems for protecting lives, safeguarding operations and building an environment where every technician returns home safely.

John Itsueli, General Manger, JV Operations, highlighted TTC’s “humble beginning in a small office at the Qua Iboe Terminal”, through growth into a world class institution now “proudly recognised as the first City and Guilds Centre of Excellence globally.”

He commended “The trainers, assessors, administrators and support teams whose tireless efforts have made these achievements possible.”

Goodluck Enimedoukienoniso, Best Graduating Student of the G13, acknowledged that his position of honour materialised as he and colleagues were inspired to push harder because of the enviable standard set by their predecessors.

“Thank you for the foundation you laid. We will build on it. These past two years have changed us. We came here as eager trainees but stand here today as professionals; professionals forged by challenges”, he told past graduates of the scheme.

“We have been constructed, conscripted, pressure tested, culture tested and, dare I say, carved for purpose”, he assured on his set’s eagerness to get engaged to showcase their skills.

Oladotun Isiaka, Managing Director, Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, was delighted that the TTC has come full circle with a former student at the helm of affairs today. 

“I see expansion of the school, transition in terms of technology, with the curriculum reviewed to keep pace with the way the world is evolving”, Isiaka projected as Brown acknowledged host Eket community for being good and supportive neighbours.