NNPC Spokesman, Obateru Bags NIPR Fellowship

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) yesterday in Bauchi at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), conferred its fellowship award on Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

A statement from the national oil company described the recipient, Obateru as a “self-driven” and “amiable” public relations practitioner.

It noted that Obateru joined the NNPC in 1992 as an experienced hire and has through the years served in various capacities as General Manager/Head, NNPC London Office, Manager, Public Affairs, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Manager, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) among other positions.

He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos; University of Ilorin and University of Stirling, Scotland, UK, where he obtained a Certificate in News Reporting, a BA (Hons) Performing Arts and an M.Sc in Public Relations respectively.

According to the statement, in 2012, he was awarded a doctorate degree in management (Honoris Causa) by the Commonwealth University, Belize.

“Obateru has attended numerous professional courses and conferences at home and abroad which include International Public Relations Association Conferences, World Petroleum Congresses (WPCs) and more than a dozen OPEC Ministerial Conferences among others,” it stated.