about

Engr. Okoene had his engineering training at the University of Technology, Loughborough, England, where he obtained the B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1970. He is a COREN registered Mechanical Engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, England and a member of several other professional bodies. He also attended numerous training and management development courses in Nigeria and in some of the most prestigious institutions in America and Europe. Engr. Okoene has vast experience in human resource management and development, oil and gas facilities design, project management, construction and commissioning; acquired in Shell Nigeria and The Netherlands, in a career spanning over 30 years. He was Engineering Manager, Eastern Division of SPDC from 1993-97; Chief Engineer from 19891993 and Head of Engineering Planning/Design/Technical Services and Engineering Job Development Adviser from 1983 - 1986. He was also the Production Projects Supervisor between 1986 and 1989 at Assen, The Netherlands. Between 1970 and 1983, he was variously a Field Engineer, Production Facilities Engineer and Head of Production Facilities Planning, Design and Construction. In 1997 he was appointed as Manager, Corporate Recruitment, Training & Education, where he helped set up two Training Schools for SPDC. He retired from Shell in 1999. At various times, Engr. Okoene served as a member of the Board of Faculty of Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, as an external examiner to the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri and as Chairman of the subcommittee on CPD of Nigerian Society of Engineers. He is widely traveled and has numerous publications in local and international journals to his credit. On retirement, he established Aira Nigeria Ltd; - a plastics manufacturing company and an ultra modern guest house complex – De Orchard. He is Chairman/MD of both companies. He joined the BOD of Project Masters and was elected Chairman in January, 2001. Engr. Okoene is aged 67 years, married with children.

AKHIGBE-MIDU, Christopher O. – Managing Director

Engr. Dr. Akhigbe–Midu holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan (1988), two Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.) and Engineering Management (M.E.M.), and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, with research interests in mathematical modelling, optimization techniques and productivity management. He has several scholarly publications in reputable local and international research journals. He is also a COREN registered Mechanical Engineer (R.8057) and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He has to his credit over 25 years working experience spanning through marine, drilling, oil and gas industries. He has successfully managed over 200 major projects involving oil and gas production facilities/systems shut downs, especially in flow stations/production platforms, gas plants/compression stations, as well as pipelines. He was previously Trainee Engineer at Almarine Div. of John Holt Plc., Trainee Drilling Engineer in Saipem Nig. Ltd. and variously Oil & Gas Facilities Engineer, Lead Commissioning Engineer, Construction Manager and Project Manager in Alcon Nig. Ltd., all in Port Harcourt. He was the Project Manager for Shell Flow Stations Upgrade (phases II and III) which successfully turned around and upgraded over 22 Shell Flow Stations in the Niger Delta, between 1994 and early 1999. He joined the executive board of Project Masters on full time basis in 1999. Dr. Akhigbe-Midu imparts knowledge to younger engineers and technicians through mentoring, teaching and sharing of research and industry experience. He is currently an industry-based part-time lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt Offshore Technology Institute, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Dr. Akhigbe–Midu is aged 49 years and married with children.

UWAKHONYE, Bonnie – Technical Director

Engr. Uwakhonye obtained the Bachelors degree (B.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin in 1982. In 1986 he obtained a Masters degree (M. Eng.) in Chemical Engineering from the same University, where he was a Federal Government PostGraduate Scholar. He is a COREN registered Chemical Engineer (R.4783) and a member of the following professional bodies: Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Engr. Uwakhonye was a University don before joining NNPC Warri Refining & Petrochemical Company Ltd. in 1985 as a process engineer. In 1990 he joined Shell as a Senior Project Engineer where he handled various oil and gas facilities design, Costing, Planning, Construction and Project management tasks. He joined the executive board on full time basis in January, 2000. Engr. Uwakhonye is aged 53 years, married with children.