“I am proud that the board, management and entire staff of Seplat Energy were able to achieve several enviable milestones and exceptional successes”
By YANGE IKYAA
Seplat Energy Plc has announced the decision of its chairman, Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako, to step down, both as chairman and from the company’s board of directors.
Dr. Orjiako notified the board of directors of his decision on Wednesday, November 17 but, in order to facilitate an orderly transition, he will remain as chairman until the next annual general meeting in May 2022, when an independent chairperson will take over.
The board of Seplat Energy said it “thanked its chairman for his strategic vision, drive and limitless energy to create Nigeria’s leading indigenous independent energy company.”
In response Dr. Orjiako said that “the past twelve years at Seplat Energy have been exhilarating for me. As chairman, I am proud that the board, management and entire staff of Seplat Energy were able to achieve several enviable milestones and exceptional successes, notably the acquisition of eight oil and gas assets, expansion of the Oben and development of the ANOH gas plants and the dual listing on both the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges – a first by a Nigerian company.
“While there were challenges along the way, we overcame these by the special grace of God, through the outstanding performance and professionalism of each member of the board and management, and the sterling efforts of our staff. I will continue to give my utmost energy and commitment to the Company until I step down from the Board at the next AGM.” he concluded.
The outgoing chairman is a co-founder and pioneer of Seplat Energy, since 2009, while serving as chairman of Seplat Energy Group, he has taken the company through a number of acquisitions and was the driving force behind Seplat Energy becoming the first and only Nigerian corporate to dual list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the main board of the London Stock Exchange in 2014.
Mr. Basil Omiyi, who is a senior independent director at Seplat Energy Plc, said “on behalf of all members of the Board, I would like to thank Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako for his immense contribution as a co-founder and chair of Seplat Energy since inception.
“He has been chairman during both exciting and challenging times, and his dedication has been constant throughout. The board and management look forward to working with him during the transition period and we will miss his insight, expertise and leadership when he finally steps down in May.”
Seplat Energy, in a statement signed by Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, who is the company’s director, external affairs & sustainability, said its chairman’s decision to step down and be replaced by an independent chairperson is a testament to the strong corporate governance and best practices he instilled in the company’s board.