The oil and gas industry has lost one of its most distinguished figures, as Chief Ben Aniekwe, Chairman of NIPCO Plc, has passed away. The news was confirmed by sources from Adazi-Enu, where Chief Aniekwe was a well-respected community leader.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
A post on the Adazi-Enu Facebook platform expressed the community’s sorrow: “We received the news of the death of Chief Sir Bestman Aniekwe (Onwa Jesus).
Chief Sir Bestman Aniekwe over the years has been one of the reputable figures in Adazi-Enu.
He sponsored the last Adazi-Enu Unity Cup in addition to the other contributions he made in Adazi-Enu.”
With over thirty years of experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Chief Aniekwe was a businessman of great repute and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Sales Management.
Before taking on the role of Chairman at NIPCO Plc in 2004, his business ventures spanned construction and agriculture, including serving as Chairman of Abakaliki Farmers’ Cooperative Rice Mill from 1989 to 1995.
He also founded and chaired Best Petroleum Nigeria Ltd.
Chief Aniekwe’s leadership extended to his service within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), where he held various positions at both depot and national levels, ultimately being elected as National President.
During his presidency, he was instrumental in the creation of NIPCO Plc, a significant development in aligning indigenous petroleum marketers with the Federal Government’s deregulation efforts.
Beyond his business achievements, Chief Aniekwe was a noted philanthropist, earning several chieftaincy titles in recognition of his generosity.
He was deeply respected both in Anambra State and across Nigeria.
His expertise was sought on numerous committees, including the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Deregulation of Oil Prices and the Ministerial Committee on Petroleum Products under the Petroleum Products and Regulatory Agency (PPRRA).
Known for his wisdom, humility, and kindness, Chief (Dr.) Ben Aniekwe’s passing is a profound loss to both his community and the nation.