Oil Workers Urge FG to Salvage Nigeria from Collapse

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Stakeholders from the oil and gas industry have called on the federal government and captains of industries to salvage Nigeria from collapse as the nation continues to face diverse challenges.

Workers and retirees in the oil and gas industry across Nigeria who gathered to pray for the country under the aegis of Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International (PICFI), made the call at their national annual prayer conference, held in Port Harcourt.

THISDAY at the programme observed that the group organised training for the unemployed, for workers preparing for retirement, they visited the old people’s home as part of its charity activities, held praise and worship, workshop, among others.

Speaking with journalists during the programme which lasted for three days, National President of PICFI, Shola Idowu, explained that the interdenominational Christian gathering was made up of Christians in the international, and local oil and gas industry, as well as cooperation under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

He disclosed that the members were drawn from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Oando, NLNG, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri Refinery Petrochemical, among others.

Idowu explained that, “Every year we hold an annual prayer conference, and this year we have gathered in the City of Port Harcourt for the 20th annual prayer conference for brethren in oil and gas industry to come together pray, seek the face of God, intercede for the industry, intercede for Nigeria for the betterment of the country and also the company that God has planted us to work for now.”

He said the area of focus for the event was to raise, correct lives that would be able to represent God both in their offices and occupy the gates of industries for the Lord.

Speaking on the challenges faced by the country, the PICFI President said, “The economic challenge in the country gives us a lot of concern. We know a lot of politics were involved, bad game but what we are doing is to be praying for the country, for industry and also to be doing what is right at work.

“As stakeholders in oil and gas, sincerely speaking we have been praying and continue to pray, we know what befell Nigeria is not ordinary and before we can get a change there is a place for God’s factor.”

Pleading to Nigerians to always do the right things for positive change in society, he said, “The economic challenge affects everybody because the people that depend on us multiplied.”

“We appeal and plead with the federal government and captains of the oil and gas industry to do what is right and salvage this country from being collapsed. So, we are pleading that in the name of the Lord, do what is right and salvage Nigeria from destruction.”

On his part, Mr. Osondu Okpara, a one-time national vice chairman of the organisation, and present chairman of the advocacy committee of PICFI, said the group was also praying for Nigeria and seeking for the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians.