News Investigators/ Shuaibu Aliyu, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has honoured renowned scholar, Omar Rahaman, describing his contributions to academia and Nigeria’s energy sector as impactful and enduring.
Prof. Aliyu gave the commendation while delivering an address on Saturday in Abuja at a Professional Lecture Series, organised in celebration of Rahaman’s 80th birthday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, tagged “Season of Rahaman 5.0.” was organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in collaboration with the PTDF.
The event was a series of oil and gas events organised in honour of Emeritus Prof. Omar Rahaman, a distinguished icon in African geology.
Prof. Aliyu, represented by Mr Steve Agboyinu, PTDF Deputy General Manager, Audit Division, said the event was not merely a celebration of age, but of legacy, intellectual excellence and service to national development.
“It is an opportunity to reflect on a life devoted to knowledge, service and the advancement of society through scholarship and leadership.
“Prof. Rahaman’s relationship with the PTDF is both deep and enduring, and indeed, foundational in many respects.
“He was one of the architects of the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme, an initiative that has produced generations of highly skilled professionals who continue to serve the oil and gas industry and the broader energy sector.”
According to him, for nine years, Prof. Rahaman served as the Coordinator of the aptitude examinations used by PTDF to select beneficiaries for the Overseas Scholarship Scheme in selected universities in the United Kingdom.
“His leadership in this regard helped to institutionalise a process that is credible, transparent and merit-driven,” he said.
He further said that Rahaman had been a longstanding member of selection panels for the PTDF In-Country Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme in the Nigerian universities.
He said that Rahaman participated in the Southwest regional selection exercise held in Ibadan in 2004 and had continued to contribute his expertise to the process.
Aliyu highlighted Rahaman’s role in advancing infrastructure development in Nigerian universities.
He said that the scholar facilitated the establishment of five specialised 12-month professional master’s programmes at Obafemi Awolowo University, with support from industry and government agencies.
He listed the programmes to include Petroleum Geosciences, Petroleum Geophysics, Petroleum Geochemistry, Mineral Exploration, as well as Groundwater and Environmental Geosciences.
“These initiatives reflect, not only vision, but a practical commitment to building local capacity and strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development,” he said.
He described the theme of the lecture, “Celebrating Excellence at 80,” as fitting, noting that excellence was defined by sustained relevance, impact and the ability to inspire generations.
NAN
