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FIRST E&P/NNPC JV concludes medical outreach to 11 host communities in Bayelsa State

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… 3,465 people received free medical care

[Lagos, February 28, 2024] – As part of its corporate social responsibility, the OML 83 and 85 NNPC/ FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (‘the JV’) recently concluded the second edition of its medical outreach which reached over 3,400 residents of its 11 host communities in Bayelsa State including Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ekeni, Fishtown, Foropa, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Sangana, Oginibiri, Okumbiri, and Okumbiribeleu.

The program, which commenced on Friday, February 23, 2024 and concluded on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 reached residents in remote communities with free health checks, laboratory tests and treatment, as well as eye checks and care, dental services and distribution of mosquito nets. This year’s outreach followed the success of the maiden edition in 2022 which saw a total of 2,600 people spread across 8 communities benefit from the initiative.

Speaking during the launch of the five-day medical outreach in Sangana, the Head of Social Performance, FIRST E&P, Ayebatonye Benjamin Basuo, stated that the initiative was implemented following a needs assessment carried out in the host communities. According to Basuo, “The outreach was in line with FIRST E&P’s commitment to deliver high-impact social performance initiatives aimed at creating a better, sustainable future for our host communities, with a focus on education, infrastructural development, and health projects. Some of the communities reached do not have a hospital and residents must travel to other villages to access health care. We are pleased that with this initiative, we have been able improve the quality of life for many, and in some instances to deliver lifesaving interventions”.

She further said, “Beyond this program, over the years, we have implemented other measures to bridge the healthcare gaps identified in our communities. For example, in 2020 we appointed 10 healthcare personnel to complement the efforts of the state government in caring for people in remote communities”.

In his remarks, Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, noted that the initiative was designed to provide quality healthcare for people in the host communities.

According to Wunti, the intervention would help prevent and reduce cases of malaria, dental problems, and permanent loss of vision by providing early diagnosis, free reading glasses and consumables for all related diseases. “This is the second time that NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture initiated the health outreach to our host communities in Bayelsa State. In 2022, eight (8) communities benefitted from this medical outreach,” he said.

He expressed profound gratitude to the communities and other stakeholders for their support. He also assured the people of the company’s commitment to continue operating on the standards of ethics and sustainability while dealing with the environmental and social impacts of its activities.

Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, Dr. Ngowari Torunana, congratulated NNPC and FIRST E&P for the intervention to alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden. He noted that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation in the health sector.

In his response, Chairman, Board of Trustees, KEFFESO Host Communities’ Development Trust (KHCDT), His Royal Highness, Amadabo of Moko-Ama Sangana Kingdom, Moses Theophilus, commended NNPC/FIRST E&P JV on the intervention, stressing that all the people of the community appreciate the immense contribution.

“We are pleased about the health outreach and would appreciate it if other oil and gas companies could follow in their footsteps. I must say that NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture has made a tremendous contribution to developing the Sangana community,” His Royal Highness said.

One of the beneficiaries, Gbali Ayawei, expressed appreciation to NNPC/FIRST E&P for bringing the initiative to positively impact the community’s health. “We want to thank NNPC and FIRST E&P for this intervention. This is the second time we are witnessing this, we appreciate all the support,” Ayawei said.

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Juliet Ehimuan

Non-Executive Director

Juliet Ehimuan is Director of Google in West Africa. She was named by Forbes as one of the top 20 power women in Africa, by the London Business School as one of 30 people changing the world; and featured in the BBC Africa Power Women series, and on CNN Innovate Africa.

With over 25 years experience primarily in Technology, Oil & Gas, and New Media industries across Europe, Middle East and Africa; Juliet is a leading voice on Innovation, Transformation, and Leadership. She has received numerous awards for outstanding contribution to the digital landscape in Africa. Under her leadership, the Google team has made a significant impact on local content development, infrastructure deployment, and digital capacity building.

Juliet has degrees from the London Business School, University of Cambridge; and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She was awarded IT Personality of the Year in 2012 by the Nigeria Computer Society, Digital Personality of the year 2016 by Marketing World; and received a 2015 Titans of Technology award from TechnologyAfrica.

She is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and recently published 30 Days of
Excellence, a leadership and effectiveness guide.

Daniella Obiesie-Uijlenhoed

Non-Executive Director

Daniella Obiesie-Uijlenhoed is currently a Director & Partner in Danicees FZ, an oil & gas servicing company based in Nigeria & the UAE. She is also on the Board of Directors of FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited, an upstream oil & gas producing company in Nigeria.

Born in Nigeria, Daniella has a Master’s degree in Business Administration & a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar. She obtained her first degree is from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication.

Daniella started work with the banking industry in 1997. Her work experience includes positions in Federal Mortgage Finance, New Nigeria Bank & Zenith Bank PLC which she left at mid-management level to join Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company in 2005 as a stakeholder management liaison between SNEPCo and NNPC/NAPIMS on the Bonga South-West project.

She would later move to the Contracting team as Head, Office Services, managing the processing & subsequent approvals through the various team lines for all SNEPCo office contracts in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, & Warri.

In 2009, Daniella took a hiatus from Shell Nigeria and worked with Oman Oryx Construction Company, UAE as the Head Corporate Services, responsible for handling all permits and stakeholder management engagements between the company and the Ministry of Energy & Minerals in Oman.

Daniella returned to Shell Nigeria in 2012, working within the strategy & portfolio team for SNEPCo office & governance policies Nigeria, until her voluntary exit from the company in 2015 to join her husband at Danicees and focus on her family.

Daniella is passionate about the formal & non-formal development of young people in Nigeria. She has been a Trustee and Director on the Board of the Duke of Edinburgh award for young people in Nigeria since 2018. The parent organization for the award was founded in 1956 in England by the late Prince Philip the 1st Duke of Edinburgh.

Daniella views external relationships as key enabler to corporate success and is a team player dedicated to personal delivery and organizational goals. She is a hands-on, high-energy individual who uses her unique interpersonal skills to generate value for organizations and their stakeholders, balancing the strategic agenda with the requirements for optimal delivery.