Meet Michelle a Facilities Engineer at Famfa Oil Limited #IWD2021

Today we are honouring all the amazing women that make up the Famfa Oil Limited board, staff, friends, allies and community. Thank you for making us better!  To mark this special day, we bring you into the world of some of our wonder women who have chosen to challenge themselves by encouraging the education of the girl child in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses (STEM).

Meet Michelle a Facilities Engineer at Famfa Oil Limited

Who is a Facilities Engineer?

Facilities Engineering comprises a group of teams working together to design, review and implement processes or improvements in the operation or construction of a facility such as the Agbami FPSO. In the oil and gas industry, facilities engineering is made up of Process Engineers, Construction Engineers, Subsea Engineers and other Discipline Engineers. These sub-groups work together to support operations at the facility.

 

How did you get into this field? Share your journey…

Through school, I toyed with various ideas including studying medicine or architecture as I was always drawn to the sciences and technical subjects. I thoroughly researched various courses and found Chemical Engineering to be a robust course, which qualified graduates for a career in various sectors. I completed my undergraduate studies (as well as Master’s Degree) at Imperial College.

I then applied to Famfa Oil Limited for a Facilities Engineering position and was delighted to be given the role.

 

What are the challenges you have faced getting to where you are?

When I first started work as a Facilities Engineer, I was thrown in at the deep end. I was required to do a lot of learning on the job and it was a steep learning curve. One memory that stands out was from my first trip to the FPSO: as a recent starter, I had to give a presentation to a room full of very experienced male operators.  I faced similar challenges at the start, but I am blessed to be part of a great collaborative team who have helped me to overcome such challenges.

There was also the challenge of being one of very few women on the team, although I was used to that from my course at university. The truth is I don’t even notice it now.

Lastly, of course, there is the balancing act many women have to perform: sustaining a demanding career while trying to be a present wife and mother. The reality, however, is that you have to do all well: when one suffers, the other is affected.

 

How has Famfa enabled your success as a female in a male dominated field?

Other than providing me with that all important career start, Famfa has equipped me with the tools to succeed such as the various overseas training in areas of my interest and specialization. I will also commend Famfa for creating a level playing field for men and women in terms of training, rewards and career progression.

Any words for fellow women who want to toe your line in a male dominated world (quotes, mantra you live by etc.)

“Comfort is the enemy of Success”. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is where success and achievement lies.

Happy International Womens Day #IWD2021 #ChoosetoChallenge

Today we are honouring all the amazing women that make up the Famfa Oil Limited board, staff, friends, allies and community. Thank you for making us better!  To mark this special day, we bring you into the world of some of our wonder women who have chosen to challenge themselves by encouraging the education of the girl child in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses (STEM).

Meet Erdo a Geologist at Famfa Oil Limited

How did you get into this field? Share your journeyâ€Ķ

I was around the age of fourteen when I stumbled across an elementary book. The book illustrated the very basics about the study of the Earth (Geology).  I immediately picked and developed an intense interest for it. This became a dream that I held on to, even before discovering and learning about the interesting oil and gas aspect of the course.

I was offered an admission to study Micro biology at university but I rejected the offer and intentionally pursued my dream course. Eventually I gained admission to study Geology at Bsc level.

Geology was and is still my first love and interest plug!

 

What are the challenges you have faced getting to where you are?

It has been a smooth journey, a journey filled with so many bumps, curves and tears. It has also been very interesting and worthy of every fibre of my being. It has been a journey of complete focus and determination.

 

How has Famfa enabled your success as a female in a male dominated field?

Working at Famfa has been great!  I have gained knowledge and invaluable experience.  Famfa has enabled my growth and success in a thousand and one ways. I have been exposed to world class trainings etc. Although I have faced challenges that would have ordinarily sent me off and packing out of the field, Famfa always provides its giant shoulders for me to sail on.

 

Any words for fellow women who want to tow your line in a male dominated word (quotes, mantra you live by etc.)

I have two beautiful quotes I work with “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”- Benjamin Franklin

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”- Nelson Mandela

I want girls and females to develop their level of self-esteem and confidence. I want them to be knowledgeable and driven understanding that they can achieve anything they set their mind too.

 

Famfa Oil Update on CACOVID activities

FAMFA Oil is a member of the CACOVID initiative. On the expenditure side, CACOVID has far incurred expenditure, in the sum of N43,272,562,831 on the acquisition of, not only medical equipment and supplies but also Food palliatives for the vulnerable amongst us. The funds raised by CACOVID was used to support 3 key priorities. These priorities include;

  1. Medical Facilities and Equipment – Working with other stakeholders, CACOVID developed 39 fully equipped isolation centers across the 36 States of the Country including the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT). The sum of N4,194,262,899 was spent on Building Isolation Centers. In addition, medical equipment such as PCR test kits for suspected cases of COVID-19 was procured along with other required medical items at a cost of N9,017,561,723. This support by CACOVID enabled many states to deal with an unexpected surge in cases of COVID-19.
  2. Food Relief Programs – As part of our efforts to cushion the effects of the lockdown on vulnerable Nigerians affected by the restrictions in movement, CACOVID provided palliatives in the form of essential food items to 1.7m households, which is equivalent to supporting 8 million Nigerians. A total of N28,767,590,517 was spent procuring these Food supplies. These palliatives were acknowledged and disbursed by various state governments, and a schedule showing the various quantities and dates of delivery will also be posted on our website for public scrutiny. Our intention for distributing these items through the State Government, just like in the case of the isolation centers was based on the thinking that the state governments have the closest contacts with the most vulnerable in our society for whom this support was meant.
  3. Communication Plans – CACOVID also worked to improve awareness in rural communities on the COVID-19 virus, and the measures community health workers and other members of society should take when someone in the community is suspected of having symptoms similar to that of COVID-19. Print, TV, radio, and social media were leveraged as part of CACOVID communication plans.

Famfa Oil Sponsors Africa Oil Week Virtual Conference

To commemorate the work and impact of the oil and gas sector, Famfa Oil Limited proudly sponsors Africa Oil Week Virtual (AOW) 2020. AOW prides itself on offering unrivalled opportunities that drive investment and deal-making across the continent. As the world rallies over the impact of the coronavirus, for the very first time, AOW opens its door […]

FAMFA Oil Limited and Agbami Partners donate Science Laboratory Complex to Senior Science College in Akwa Ibom State

On the 16th of July 2020, The Akwa Ibom State Government commended FAMFA Oil Limited, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited and other Agbami field partners for the donation of a science laboratory complex to Senior Science College, Ndon Eyo, Onna during the handover ceremony of the project. The educational facility comprised of well-equipped Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories. […]

FAMFA Oil Pledges N1bn To Support FG’s Fight Against Coronavirus

channelstv.com/2020/03/29/famfa-oil-pledges-n1bn-to-support-fgs-fight-against-coronavirus/ Mr. and Mrs. Modupe and Folorunso Alakija through Famfa Oil Pledge N1 Billion Naira to Support Nigeria’s Fight Against COVID-19. As the world rallies to deal with the health, security, economic and social implications of the coronavirus, it’s clear that we will feel the effects much more deeply than many of the developed world. […]

News Report – FAMFA Oil Literacy Day 2020

Business Day : https://businessday.ng/education/article/famfa-oil-holds-literacy-day-for-kids-to-raise-future-leaders/ Channels Television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btu4b07tXfw This Day : https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/11/famfa-oil-organises-literacy-day-for-children/  

FAMFA Oil Literacy Day 2020

FAMFA Oil Limited hosted its annual Literacy Day on the 6th of March 2020 at the City Hall in Lagos. The program was themed ‘Readers are Leaders’ and empowered students inclusive of teachers from low fee-paying primary schools in Lagos State. Following the success of the World Book Day-Fuelled by FAMFA in 2019, The FAMFA […]

Countdown to FAMFA Oil Literacy Day 2020

The 2020 FAMFA Oil Literacy Day is themed: “Readers are Leaders.”âĢ This event is aimed at promoting a reading culture among pupils in primary schools. A strong foundation in literacy builds confidence, improves ones academic performance and facilitates the desire to learn more. At FAMFA, we are passionate about education and empowering children for the […]