AMNI: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF UNINTERRUPTED SUCCESSFUL OIL PRODUCTION

                                      Chief Tunde Afolabi, Chairman/CEO AMNI Petroleum

Oil exploration and production have always been prerogative of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) owing to their technical competence including state-of-the-art equipment for exploration. This had been the trend for many years ever since oil was discovered in Oloibiri, south-south of Nigeria by Shell in 1956.

However, the story was different with the advent of indigenous independent operators in Nigeria’s oil exploration space. AMNI International Petroleum Development Company Limited that was founded in 1993 by Chief Tunde J. Afolabi is one of the independent companies that braced up to the challenge. Its Oil Mining License (OML) 112 eastern Obolo, south-south Nigeria has sprouted beyond the founder’s imagination. No doubt, the burgeoning success is attributed to Afolabi’s hard work. Chief Afolabi often remarked, “There is no short cut to success, it is hard work. This is my 45^th year in this industry, I started working for Texaco in 1973, so 45 years is not a leap frog, they are calculated, methodical and determined years of my life to get from point A to where I am today.”

The man behind the vision took bold step to found the company as its twenty-fifth year anniversary was celebrated in Lagos. The twenty-fifth anniversary of AMNI was attended by former Directors and Vice Chairman of the company, oil and gas experts, and eminent personalities among others.

It was a celebration of a vision that a man had not just to place Nigeria on the world map but to put Nigerians who run independent oil and gas companies on the world map as well. It was twenty-five years of good corporate governance, continuous hard work with dedication and proper asset management. Twenty-five years of continuous production, engaging host communities in such a way that the host celebrate AMNI presence in their respective communities.

Astoundingly, neither has AMNI suffered any hostility nor vandalism of its facilities, it remained one of the oil companies that has never had issues with its host. The company has had good relationship with its host communities and to demonstrate that relationship the kings of two host communities graced the twenty-fifth anniversary, their Royal Majesties, Harry John Etetu, from eastern Obolo and Okuruket, Nabiget the 16^th, JP Okonama Ngo of Andoni including other chiefs.

AMNI has also extended its tentacles to Ghana and the country’s president was represented at the event while it also seek possibilities in other countries going forward.

Group Managing Director of AMNI, Wale Olafisan, said the celebration was to give thanks and glory to God for his resources and sustenance of the independent oil company.  

Some members of staff who took their turns to speak expressed gratitude concerning the success of the company which by extension has transformed their social-economic well-being.

It is not a gainsaying that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Oluseyi Afolabi is the wife of AMNI’s Chairman. The woman of substance is believed to be one of the brains behind AMNI owing to her vast knowledge spanning over thirty years in the oil and gas industry. Oluseyi is a retired Executive Director of ExxonMobil, a renowned IOC. In her words, “We can only say thank you Lord! Thank you Lord!” An elated Oluseyi used the occasion to express appreciation to God for his miraculous intervention in 2018, “God Almighty our maker, who is a perfect arranger answered our family twenty-four year old daughter.” Reading Psalm 103, a passage of the Bible to the audience, she revealed God’s mercy and favour to the family. She testified of the gift of love that God gave to the Afolabis. Gbemisola Afolabi had a sickle cell which was a concern to the family after being diagnosed by a doctor. At present, her genotype has changed from sickle cell to AA and will soon graduate as a Geologist from the university. This was a delightful news for the family that also chose the twenty-fifth anniversary to show gratitude to God as it coincide with the occasion.

Giving his remarks at the twenty-fifth anniversary, Chief Afolabi, a Scientist and Geologist with outstanding experience is also a fellow of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and a Member of Federal Republic (MFR). The founder of AMNI worked with Texaco for some years. Chief Afolabi said, “The primary objective of this gathering tonight is to document in your presence all what God has done for us as a company in the last twenty-five years.” The secondary objective is to give platform to those in the audience who may wish to share with the family the miracles God has done for them by “Transforming our child who was an SS to an AA and she is about to get her degree now in Geology.” He submitted that the anniversary is also to recognize some of the people who have worked very hard in the last twenty-five years to take AMNI to where it is today. Some have excelled by contributing immensely to the development of the company. This will encourage others that if they work hard, they will also be rewarded.

As part of the twenty-fifth year celebration, awards were given to five years, ten years and fifteen years of outstanding service to dedicated staff. While twenty-five years of meritorious outstanding, loyal and committed service award was given to Adebayo Dahunsi.  Ecstasy and jubilation filled the hall as Dahunsi came to the podium to receive his award.

Chief Afolabi revealed to the audience that Dahunsi’s loyalty was extra-ordinary as he started with the company when it was operating in a room apartment that was demarcated in four parts at the Western House in 1992. He had a room from where he managed the company as a General Manager.

In his remarks, Dahunsi thanked God who has given “The Chairman, the idea of this company and appreciated him that God will keep AMNI by moving it forward.” The pioneer General Manager went spiritual and said the formation of AMNI is a source of joy to many people and the joy will never cease.