Administrator
The Society of Energy Editors is administered by the office of the Chairman, the Executive Secretary and three directorates including the following:
– Directorate of Programmes, Finance & Accounts
– Directorate of Public Affairs & Member Relations
– Directorate of Publications & Training
Yakubu Lawal
Chairman
Mr. Yakubu Itopa Lawal is a graduate of BSc.(Hon) Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1988 and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos state University Ojo Lagos. His interest in Journalism pushed him into the Pen profession after the mandatory National Youth Service in 1989. He started his career as a journalist at the Punch Newspaper Limited with focus on Oil, Gas, Power and Steel sub sectors of the economy as his primary beat/coverage. In year 2000, Yakubu joined the flagship of the Nigeria Media house, The Guardian Newspaper as Senior Correspondent covering Energy beat which comprises of Oil, Gas, Power, Steel and Renewables .He rose to the position of Energy editor at the Guardian before he joined the then Minister of Power, Dr. Lanre Babalola as Special Adviser on Media and Communication in 2009. He later served in the same capacity with the Hon. Minister of state for Power Arc.Somo Nuhu Wya in 2010. As Adviser on Media and Communication, Yakubu coordinated the implementation of publicity policy and management of all Media /Publicity issues in the office of the Minister. Design communication strategies for improving public perception of the power Ministry through constant information dissemination. After cabinet reshuflement by the middle of 2010, Yakubu joined the services of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in August 2010 as Manager in charge of Media activities of the establishment, In 2011 NIPP was registered as a limited liability company with the name Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC). This changes saw Yakubu been promoted as an Assistant General Manager in charge of Media activities of the company. In 2012 he was promoted Deputy General Manager on appropriate placement policy of the company and substantive Head of the new department - Communication and Public Relations department. In 2014, Yakubu was promoted General Manager Communication and Public Relations, the position he held till September 2020 when he retired from public service. As General Manager in NDPHC, his functions include, managing the image of the company, relationship with other government and non –government agencies and the legislative arm of the government. He managed the public enlightenment of NDPHC, Powerlink on NTA and Power Track on AIT before the later was rested but the Powerlink is still ongoing weekly program on NTA till date. This program was specifically designed to educate Nigerians and other stakeholders on the activities of the company. It is an enlightenment program showcasing the activities of the agency to the world. While in the Media industry, Yakubu has covered numerous national and International conferences, seminars and workshops which impacted positively on his knowledge and skill to understand the sectors he covered and the economy as a whole. Yakubu had covered several conferences of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 1990 and 2008. He also participated in the coverage of the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) conferences in South Africa in 2005 and in Madrid, Spain in 2008 respectively. He was at the World Bank conference on Economic recovery in Africa-The role of International Monetary Fund –IMF in Accra, Ghana in 1993. During is over 32 years of working career, Yakubu served as member of Media advisory committee to MD/CEO of National Electric Power Authority between 1996 and 1997. Member Media advisory team on Federal government Committee for the Deregulation of the Downstream Petroleum Industry between 200and 2003. He served as information consultant to Economic attaché to South Korea Embassy in Lagos-2008/2009 as well as Media Consultant to Korea National Oil Corporation in Nigeria (KNOC) in 2009.
Yakubu is a Member ,Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (MNIPRA) Yakubu is happily married with children, grandchildren and loves travelling and watching detective films.
Hector Igbikiowubo
Director, Directorate of Programmes, Finance & Accounts
Hector Igbikiowubo is the Editor-in-Chief of SweetcrudeReports publications, with a prolific career spanning various renowned newspapers such as Concord Newspapers, BusinessDay Newspapers, and Vanguard Newspapers. With over 8000 energy-related news, features, articles, and analyses to his credit, as well as published interviews in both local and international newspapers and newswire services, he is a seasoned expert in the field.
An accomplished author, Mr. Igbikiowubo has co-authored "Nigeria Sweet Crude" in 2006, and authored "Make we talk" in 1998, "Scarllati Affair" in 1995, and "NigeriAnomie" in 2023, showcasing his diverse writing talents and deep industry knowledge.
Furthermore, he is recognized as the convener of the Nigerian Content Investment Forum (NCIF) in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), a significant event held during the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Igbikiowubo and the NCIF have been honored with a Proclamation from the Mayor of the City of Houston and a Certificate of U.S. Congressional Recognition, both dated May 2, 2016, in appreciation of their efforts to promote investment and foster collaboration between the Nigerian and U.S. oil and gas industries.
Mr. Igbikiowubo is also the Chief Executive of Mount Spiral Nigeria Limited, an energy consulting and supply chain management company with years of experience in the management of the image of high-profile corporate clients in Nigeria.
Mr. Igbikiowubo is a mass communication graduate, holds an MBA in marketing and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford in England. He has attended several seminars and conferences, as well as short courses both within and outside Nigeria while also presenting papers on a wide range of issues pertaining to energy reporting and appearing on radio and television programmes within and outside Nigeria.
He is married with two children.
Chuks Isiwu
Executive Secretary
A veteran energy journalist with over 30 years of experience working with Nigeria’s leading media organisations. Isiwu can be described as a repository of knowledge of the Nigerian energy industry. He has written over 10,000 news stories and articles while editing a countless number within the period under review. A graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Isiwu also holds certificates in Business News Writing; The Hazards of Petroleum Wealth; Using Technology for Gathering and Reporting the News; and Media Enhancement Training. He is widely travelled and has participated in conferences, seminars, workshops, trainings, courses and meetings in several countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina. Uruguay, Egypt, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Ghana, and Sao Tome and Principe. He has also covered and reported international events, including meetings and conferences of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), African Petroleum Producers Association (now African Petroleum Producers Organization), Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) as well as the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Rio Oil and Gas Expo, and International Conference of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV). Mr. Isiwu is a winner/recipient of the Nigerian Media Merit Award in the Energy Category for 2009, when he emerged as the Energy Correspondent of the Year with the article, “Bound By Common Interest - How Military Fuels Oil Theft”. He was also first runners-up in the same award in 2007 and 2014. He has skills in research, leadership, organising, strategic planning, strategic communication, and marketing strategy. Isiwu is also an accomplished consultant in Editing, News writing, Information Management, Media Training, Public Relations and Public Relations Training, Advertising, and Business Analysis.
OLU PHILLIP
External Relations Counsel
OLU PHILLIP S is a distinguished broadcast journalist affiliated with Africa's premier news station, Channels Television. Serving as the Energy Correspondent for Channels TV, OLU PHILLIPS is renowned for his versatility and analytical acumen in the field of news reporting. In his current role as the Editor and Head of the Energy Desk, OLU PHILLIPS has cultivated a wealth of experience as a well-traveled journalist, covering events and conferences across Africa, Europe, and America. Drawing upon these diverse experiences, he delivers reports that are both insightful and impactful. Known for his bold and direct approach to addressing issues, OLU PHILLIPS has conducted interviews with prominent figures in society, earning him the esteemed position of Chairman of the Energy Correspondents in Nigeria. His expertise is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning, having participated in numerous training sessions and seminars, including CNN's program for select Africa journalists. Recognized for his dynamic and engaging style of news reporting, OLU PHILLIPS is fearless and daring, enabling him to cover and report from challenging terrains and situations. Currently serving as the Head of Features at Channels Television, OLU PHILLIPS continues to demonstrate a passion for journalism and a dedication to delivering high-quality content to audiences worldwide.
Precious Okolobo
Director, Directorate of Publications & Training
Precious trained as a journalist in the United Kingdom and worked initially in the broadcast and print media in Rivers State before joining Shell where he rose to the position of Media Relations Manager before retiring in 2017. He worked in a variety of roles in Nigeria's premier oil company starting as Editor, Shell Bulletin. He resuscitated the monthly publication as a trusted news source on Shell and by implication, the oil and gas industry. He went on to become Lead Media Relations Adviser and Spokesman. Precious is a consultant on corporate communications and media relations and also an author. He has published three well-received Christian books and currently working on the fourth. The titles are "The Bethel Experience," "Done! Divine insights into Restoration" and "Fear Not." Precious is married with children and divides his time in Lagos and his native Rivers State.
