05 June 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – The Management and Staff of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has expressed shock and sorrow over over Dana Airlines flight 0992 crash which claimed the lives of over 160 persons at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos on Sunday.
The Board also condoled the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation over the loss its five employees, including the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma in the air disaster.
In his condolence message in Yenagoa on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa prayed God to grant the bereaved families the strength to bear the loss of their loved ones.
“The NCDMB family is united in shock and sorrow with all Nigerians, especially the families that lost loved ones, but we trust in God to comfort and console us all at this period,” he said.
In his message to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Austen Oniwon, the NCDMB boss lamented that the Corporation lost some of its best employees to the disaster, especially when it was undergoing transformation ahead of the presentation and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law.
Nwapa described Ajuonuma’s death as a colossal loss to the Nigerian Content community and the oil and gas industry, adding that the professionalism, candor and panache he brought to bear on his job cannot be replicated.
He added that it was these sterling qualities and his enthusiasm to serve with humility that gave him the unprecedented privilege to work with five successive Group Managing Directors of NNPC and five Ministers of Petroleum Resources with loyalty and dedication.
The Executive Secretary recalled the pivotal roles Ajuonuma played towards the advancement of Nigerian Content, beginning from when the Nigerian Content Unit was created out of the office of the former GMD of NNPC, Funso Kupulokun in 2005.
Dr. Ajuonuma featured prominently in many Nigerian Content events and in 2011 chaired the Industry Steering Committee which organised the very successful month long commemoration of one year anniversary of Nigerian Content Act.
Nwapa also consoled Ajuonuma’s immediate family and the Awalla Community in Isiekenesi, Idiato South Local Government of Imo State over the loss of the rare gem.
