The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D has been hailed for his passion for development in the Agriculture and Petroleum sectors of the economy.
Senator Lokpobiri was also made a man of the year and patron of farmers in Bayelsa State.
Comrade Farmer Preye Eweke Bayelsa State Coordinator of Network Of Food Security Farmers In Niger Delta (NFSFND) made the commendation in a spotlight sent to Niger Delta Herald Online on Saturday.
According to the Farmers, “As Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture under the Buhari administration, he worked relentlessly to ensure that the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region were not left behind. His leadership character, marked by humility, tenacity and a deep love for the people of Bayelsa State, set him apart as a leader who aims to leverage his wealth of opportunities to serve the greater good. Not one to seek patronage, or to crave for titles or accolades; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s life reminds us all that true leadership is not measured by vain glories but by the positive difference a “leader” makes in the lives of followers; and society generally.
“Under Heineken Lokpobiri’s leadership, Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture drove notable advancements in the agricultural sector. His regime initiated policies aimed at increasing the production of staple crops, such as rice, maize, cassava, and sorghum, by enhancing availability of modern farming techniques, irrigation systems and improved seed varieties. Senator Lokpobiri was instrumental in promoting cassava as a major cash crop not limited to the local market; in the process transforming countless local farmers to multi-millionaires in naira and dollars. His transformative mission cut across the agricultural value chain with the provision of rice mills and other processing equipment to farmers in Bayelsa State; irrigation systems and storage facilities in other parts of the Country. He ensured adequate institutional reforms to rescue agro-entrepreneurs from the ugly seasonal trend of “post-harvest loss” in Nigeria. He worked for access to finance for smallholder farmers including youth and women in agriculture.”
They also noted with happiness the strides achieved by the minister, emphasised that “Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s current tour of duty as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) since the inception of the Tinubu administration in 2023 has been remarkable by significant efforts to reform, revitalize, and enhance Nigeria’s oil industry. His giant strides has been increasing production, improving domestic refining capacity and working proactively with local stakeholders to arrest the menace of oil theft, equipment failure and resultant environmental pollution. Milestones under his watch include Nigeria’s historic production of 1.8 Million barrels of crude oil per day achievement in December 2024; (2) successful bidding rounds for upstream operations; (3) pragmatic conflict resolution mechanism for cordial relations between downstream value chain stakeholders; (4) ensuring the smooth take-off of the Dangote, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries; (5) ensuring adequate and quality Nigerian content in the on-going IOCs divestment transactions; (6) successful lobby for Nigeria to Host Africa Energy Bank.”
The Spotlight read :A special spotlight on “Our Man of the Year 2024 and National Patron Designate”: Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, 1st Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, former Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former Minister of State for Agriculture and current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s journey in the world of politics has been defined by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering belief in himself; the potential of his community, state and country. His career in public service, particularly as a key figure in the political landscape of Bayelsa State and Nigeria, is one deeply rooted in passion for service to humanity.
From the outset of his political career in 1999, Senator Lokpobiri distinguished himself as a voice for the voiceless, a man of nobility and an advocate of the masses. He is always concerned about the plight of ordinary citizens and pursuit of egalitarianism in society. As Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture under the Buhari administration, he worked relentlessly to ensure that the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region were not left behind. His leadership character, marked by humility, tenacity and a deep love for the people of Bayelsa State, set him apart as a leader who aims to leverage his wealth of opportunities to serve the greater good. Not one to seek patronage, or to crave for titles or accolades; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s life reminds us all that true leadership is not measured by vain glories but by the positive difference a “leader” makes in the lives of followers; and society generally.
Under Heineken Lokpobiri’s leadership, Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture drove notable advancements in the agricultural sector. His regime initiated policies aimed at increasing the production of staple crops, such as rice, maize, cassava, and sorghum, by enhancing availability of modern farming techniques, irrigation systems and improved seed varieties. Senator Lokpobiri was instrumental in promoting cassava as a major cash crop not limited to the local market; in the process transforming countless local farmers to multi-millionaires in naira and dollars. His transformative mission cut across the agricultural value chain with the provision of rice mills and other processing equipment to farmers in Bayelsa State; irrigation systems and storage facilities in other parts of the Country. He ensured adequate institutional reforms to rescue agro-entrepreneurs from the ugly seasonal trend of “post-harvest loss” in Nigeria. He worked for access to finance for smallholder farmers including youth and women in agriculture.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s current tour of duty as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) since the inception of the Tinubu administration in 2023 has been remarkable by significant efforts to reform, revitalize, and enhance Nigeria’s oil industry. His giant strides has been increasing production, improving domestic refining capacity and working proactively with local stakeholders to arrest the menace of oil theft, equipment failure and resultant environmental pollution. Milestones under his watch include Nigeria’s historic production of 1.5 Million barrels of crude oil per day achievement in December 2024; (2) successful bidding rounds for upstream operations; (3) pragmatic conflict resolution mechanism for cordial relations between downstream value chain stakeholders; (4) ensuring the smooth take-off of the Dangote, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries; (5) ensuring adequate and quality Nigerian content in the on-going IOCs divestment transactions; (6) successful lobby for Nigeria to Host Africa Energy Bank. Surely these are giant strides for which we remain proud of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri. We at Network of Food Security Farmers of Bayelsa State are poised to keep his legacies alive.
For his tireless commitment to the welfare of Bayelsans, food security and a flourishing economy the Niger Delta, we have elected him our MAN OF THE YEAR 2024. He is also our National Patron designate for 2025. May God continue to bless Senator Heineken Lokpobiri’s every effort towards the emancipation of the down trodden and ordinary people of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw Nation and indeed the Niger Delta as a whole.