Abia Oil Producing Community Honours Okunbo For Driving Peace, Development

The Project Director, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Dr Osahon Okunbo, has been honoured with a prestigious chieftaincy title by the Owaza community in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to peace, development, and stability across oil-producing communities.

The Owaza community, a key host of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), conferred on Dr. Okunbo the traditional title Oha-Mere-Dike I, meaning “The One Who Deserves Honour”.

The title was bestowed during a colourful coronation ceremony at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Eze (Amb.) Obioma I. Nworgu, Eze Oha I of Etitioha-Owaza Oil and Gas Kingdom. The event formed part of activities marking the monarch’s birthday.

The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders from across the Niger Delta, reflecting the depth of appreciation for Dr. Okunbo’s leadership and the strong relationship between PINL and its host communities.

Although Dr. Okunbo was unavoidably absent, he was represented by Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement at PINL.

Community leaders and speakers at the event praised Dr. Okunbo for his strategic leadership in significantly reducing pipeline vandalism, strengthening community trust, and fostering cooperation between industry operators and local communities. Under his guidance, PINL has implemented wide-ranging empowerment programmes across more than 215 host communities.

These initiatives include youth and women empowerment schemes, skills acquisition programmes, scholarships awarded to over 1,000 students, and employment opportunities for local residents. Particular emphasis was placed on the company’s positive impact in the Imo River Oil Field (OML 11), which community representatives described as transformative.

According to sources close to the company, Dr. Okunbo’s community-focused approach has also contributed to improved environmental protection, sustained peace, and operational stability in oil-bearing areas, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration between communities and industry stakeholders.

In addition to the chieftaincy title, Dr. Okunbo received a special award recognising him as “a leader chosen by his people”

In a show of mutual respect, PINL also presented an award to HRM Eze Nworgu in appreciation of his commitment to peace, unity, and development within the kingdom.

The conferment ceremony, held on December 13, 2025, featured traditional rites and cultural performances.

In his remarks, HRM Eze Nworgu called on other industry leaders to emulate Dr. Okunbo’s model of partnership, peace-building, and inclusive development.

The event concluded with renewed calls for sustained cooperation among host communities, traditional institutions, and industry operators to ensure stability and productivity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.