Shell Companies in Nigeria havebade farewell to the outgoing Executive Vice President Nigeria and Country Chair, Marno de Jong, as former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) ElohorAiboni returns from a foreign posting to take up the role. Stakeholders from government, the energy industry and professional bodies joined in celebrating the achievements of a senior executive who led Shell businesses in Nigeria for more than six years.

Chief Executive Officer Shell plc, Wael Saw, said: “The way Marnodrives performance is admirable.” He thanked him for his contributions.

In another farewell felicitation, Minister of Trade, and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said the investments by Shell during his tenure aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of the Nigerian Government.

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, represented by Executive Vice President Upstream,UdobongNtia, commended Marno for helping to “advance the vision of positioning gas as energy for Nigerians.We look forward to the next chapter of Shell to deepen our strategic partnership.”

Among several milestones in Marno’s tenure are the divestment from onshore oil production which laid the foundation for a new future through Renaissance, sustained production at Bonga, resulting in the attainment of one billion barrels of oil and execution of Bonga North and HI projects.

Marno’s colleagues in Shell remembered a leader “who led from his heart.” President Upstream Peter Costello said: “He understands the technical detail. He understands the commercial choices. He understands the importance of partnership. And most importantly, he understands the value of people and relationships.”

His views were echoed by other speakers including Osagie Okunbor who retired last year as County Chair, Shell Nigeria, Managing Director SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas, Ralph Gbobo and General Manager Deepwater Oil IykeNnoaham.

In his response, Marno thanked stakeholders, including government officials, regulatory bodies, and employees of Shell for their cooperation, as well his wife Anne-Marie, and their children for their support in “every move, every assignment and every unexpected change of plan.”