The AAPG Africa International Region has come to stay, thanks to the coordinated effort of all members, the headquarters staff in Tulsa and both the out-going and in-coming Executive Committee members.
On July 1 the newly elected executive officers took their various offices -- a position of honor and high responsibility to represent their fellow members while encouraging other qualified fellows and colleagues to join in shaping and formulating the society's geological needs.
One of the values of an earth scientist is to contribute to the finding, appraisal and development of economic mineral(s) that will assist in creating values and empowering the nation, state and the people. AAPG is an international association and is not in want of these value creators.
Hence, in continuation of propagating these values through due diligence, the following astute geoscientists have been elected by their members to the executive offices of AAPG Africa International Region. They are:
- President-elect -- Deborah E. Ajakaiye (will serve as the region's 2005-07 president).
- Vice president -- Kingsley A. Ojoh (two-year term).
- Secretary/Treasurer -- Nosa Omorodion (two-year term).
- AAPG Advisory Council Observer -- Emmanuel Enu (three-year term).
- Delegates (and alternates) to the AAPG House of Delegates (three-year terms) -- Delegates are James Kofi Agbenorto, Adedoja R. Ojelabi, Diamond Anthony Omene and Celestine Ugwu; alternates are Sebastian G. Martins and Jeff B. Aldrich.
The newly elected team joins me, Adekunla Adesida, the region's president for 2004-05, to run the affairs of your Association in Africa.
I am looking forward to working together as a formidable team, and to achieve our set objectives for the growth and development of AAPG and stakeholders, we will continue to consult and communicate with you, i.e. our membership, as deemed appropriate.
As stated in our September 2003 report, "Societies are the fabric of high integrity, honesty, fairness and responsible family life. They build on individual and group appreciation of sustainable life."
In view of this, we as a team will continue to unravel the earlier recognized and enumerated challenges -- and unlock the potentials in our membership.
For example, four out of the six major thrusts or targets set toward enhancing the growth and development of AAPG in Africa were met. They include:
- The Africa Region won the top prize of US $1,250 for the effort in the 2003-04 AAPG Membership Enhancement Drive (see July EXPLORER).
- Completed a continental survey on the number of university and polytechnic schools in the Africa Region where geosciences subjects are being taught.
- Through membership was able to increase the number of Africa Region representatives in the House of Delegates from two to four members, and with two alternatives. Bravo to all!
- Continued to promote a high professional and ethical standard and respect for people among our membership.
As stated in the September 2003 EXPLORER, we promised to continue to strive to achieve our set and collective objectives. Thanks to all members that continue to identify with this program.
Another challenge is the concern of low participation of members from African countries in the executive position and committees. To improve this we are working to set up more relevant committees and create sub-regions under the umbrella of the Africa International Region.
(We urge you to volunteer to serve in these committees once they are announced.)
Regarding ethical standards, it is sad to note that one of our student members was de-listed for not meeting the ethical standard of our Association.
We hope this will not happen again. We must remember that we are representing our various organizations, international or independent companies in AAPG. I am sure that you will take out more than what you are bringing in.
Our value is hinged on sharing our technology, knowledge, best practices -- and we must not compromise ethical standards.
West Africa Deepwater Conference
The first West Africa Deepwater Regional Conference, jointly organized by NAPE and AAPG, will be held Nov. 14-18 at the Sheraton Hotel and Tower in Abuja, Nigeria.
The theme is "The Regional West Africa Deepwater."
Sponsors are Sonangol, ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil, NNPC, Total and Shell etc. The meeting co-chairs are Adebayo Akinpelu of ChevronTexaco, Nigeria (IPP, Africa Region) and Promise Egele of Shell Petroleum Development Co., Port Harcourt, Nigeria (NAPE president).
Abuja is Nigeria's new federal capital city, located at the geographical center of the country, and has several features that endear it to many visitors local and foreign.
For more details on the conference and exhibition