Hats Off to ‘King of Gas’ Julius Rone at 50!

If you could take the pains to study Julius Rone, OFR, the Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore Limited (UTMOL), like a book, you would be totally engrossed in the riveting tales of his rise to fame.

Success and fame were not thrust into his lap. Though there are strong indications that he was born under a lucky star, he has striven to attain his current enviable status, having been a Protocol Officer at OMPADEC between 1995 and 2000 and a Protocol Assistant to a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2008.

Almost immediately after he “blessed” the nation’s oil and gas sector with his “baby”, UTM Offshore Limited, UTMOL, many across the globe began to take more than a passing interest in him. And, in no time, he succeeded in writing his name in gold in the nation’s oil and gas industry. Even now, his portrait is hung conspicuously in the Hall of Fame of gas giants in Africa.

As fate would have it, his passion has also fetched him recognition in and outside the shores of the country on account of his being the brains behind the first Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) in the continent. For his worthy efforts, he has also graced the cover pages of several local and international newspapers and magazines so deservedly.

At home, he is like a prophet who has honour; and on the international scene, he is honoured with awards for his uncommon feats and enviable achievements. No wonder, former Liberia President, George Weah, had extended a personal invitation to him and his wife, Utibe, to attend his inauguration on January 22, 2018.

Rone, who is considered a social butterfly because he is charismatic, talented and good-looking, is known to have organised different parties and graced many as well.  But it is doubtful if any so far has gained his attention as the planning of his 50th birthday celebration on Tuesday, June 25.

A perfectionist, he leaves no stone unturned to make the day most memorable for all his guests. As invites are being sent out, notable event planners and vendors who have made a successful pitch towards the success of the birthday shindig can’t wait for the day to break.

As part of the birthday ceremony, a special praise service would take place in his honour at a church in Abuja on Monday with top gospel music stars like Sensational Bamidele, Frank Edwards, Moses Bliss, Steve Crown and Sikan Isong in attendance.