•Company engages Board of Trustees, traditional rulers in Akwa-Ibom on Ibom Field operations on PPL 236

Emadeb Exploration and Production Limited, a subsidiary of Emadeb Energy Group, has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling all obligations to the Emadeb-Eastern Obolo-Ibeno Host Communities Development Trust in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, as it advances stakeholder engagement on its Ibom Field operations on PPL 236.

The assurance was given on Monday in Uyo by the Chief Executive Officer of Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Debo Olujimi, and the Managing Director of Emadeb E&P, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, during an inaugural engagement with members of the Board of Trustees of the Host Communities Development Trust.

The seven-member Board of Trustees, chaired by Mr Dominic Ekpe, was inaugurated in April 2026 pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act. The meeting marked Emadeb E&P’s first formal engagement with the Trust since its establishment.

Speaking during the session, Mr Olujimi said Emadeb E&P would conduct its operations responsibly and in the best interest of the host communities of Eastern Obolo and Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He pledged that the company would engage the Trust with integrity, transparency and an open mind, and sought the Board’s cooperation in strengthening the Trust’s administrative structures as the company finalises the requirements of its operational licence.

“We know that what we have come to do in Eastern Obolo and Ibeno communities is for the betterment of these communities, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria,” Mr Olujimi said. “I want you to rest assured that Emadeb E&P will do the needful. Deep offshore exploration is a highly technical and capital-intensive endeavour, and by God’s grace we have successfully completed that phase. It is now time to work together in line with the plans we had already emplaced. We are all fully on board.”

Emadeb E&P reiterated that the Host Communities Development Trust remains central to its community relations strategy and said it would continue to work closely with the Board of Trustees and host communities to ensure sustainable development and shared prosperity.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr Dominic Ekpe, expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of Emadeb Energy Group for prioritising the engagement. He requested the company’s support for the Trust’s operational take-off, including the provision of administrative infrastructure and requisite funding.

As part of the stakeholder engagement, the Emadeb E&P delegation also paid separate courtesy visits to His Royal Majesty, Chief Harry John Etetor, Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, and His Royal Majesty, Owong Amb. Prof. Effiong Bassey Archianga, Akwaha Owong Ibeno, Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area.

Mr Olujimi assured both traditional institutions that Emadeb E&P would remain responsive to its corporate social responsibility commitments and would discharge every obligation stipulated under the Petroleum Industry Act for host communities. The monarchs commended the delegation for the visit and offered prayers for the success and safety of the company’s operations in their domains.

•PHOTO, L-R: Head, Human Resources Unit, Emadeb Energy, Mrs Uduak Ugbodaga, Managing Director, Emadeb E&P, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer, Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Debo Olujimi, Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo Local Government, HRM, Chief Harry John Etetor, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Emadeb-Eastern Obolo-Ibeno Host Communities Development Trust, Mr Dominic Ekpe, and Legal Adviser, Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Jerry Achonwa during the Emadeb management team’s visit to Akwa-Ibom, Monday