Group 14 students of the Applied Technologists Training Programme (ATTP) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State
By Etieno Ibanga
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Published on June 20, 2026
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3 min read
A renowned oil and gas expert, Professor Esang Esitikot, has urged newly admitted students of the Seplat Technical Training Centre to look beyond academic excellence and build the character required to lead courageously in the evolving energy sector.
He gave the charge while delivering the matriculation lecture for the incoming Group 14 students of the Applied Technologists Training Programme (ATTP) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on the theme, “From Learning to Leading: Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce,” Esitikot challenged the 60 matriculants who emerged from a highly competitive pool of over 11,000 applicants to view learning as a starting point and leadership as their ultimate destination.
Esitikot, a professor of occupational health and safety and a COREN-registered chemical engineer, emphasised that true leadership is defined by influence and impact rather than official titles or job position.
He noted that while academic excellence opens the door, it will not by itself determine how far an individual goes in life, as technical competence strictly requires character, a good attitude, adaptability, resilience, teamwork, and leadership to produce long-term success.
Invoking evolutionary principles to describe the modern corporate landscape, he added that the global energy market rewards a combination of capability and character, stating that it is not the strongest or most intelligent species that survive, but the ones most adaptable to change.
To navigate the industry successfully, the international peace ambassador outlined a five-point framework for the students, advising them to lead themselves first by mastering personal discipline, to take absolute responsibility for their outcomes, and to lead through continuous learning, service, and example.
He further stressed the growing importance of soft skills — such as emotional intelligence, communication, and problem-solving — in transforming technical professionals into organisational leaders. Because the energy sector relies heavily on collaborative projects, he reminded the trainees that those who want to go far must not go alone, charging them to embrace excellence as a daily habit.
The International Accreditation Organisation-certified educator also highlighted the rapid digital transformation sweeping through the energy landscape, citing artificial intelligence, automation, IoT, and digitisation as crucial drivers of change.
He urged the students to remain adaptable and curious, reminding them that graduation does not signal the end of growth in a world that requires lifelong learning, unlearning, and relearning.
Concluding his lecture, Esitikot congratulated the successful candidates, praised Seplat Energy and the training centre’s management for providing the platform, and reassured the students that their backgrounds would not dictate their destiny if they maintained integrity and innovative mindsets.
The high-profile event drew several top industry executives, government officials, and community leaders. Among the prominent dignitaries in attendance were Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer of Seplat Energy; Ikponmwosa Ogunmwonyi, Managing Director of Seplat Offshore; John Itsueli, Vice President of JV Operations; the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Education; as well as traditional Paramount Rulers and Local Government Chairmen from the host communities.
