How Alison-Madueke was elected OPEC’s first female president

There was jubilation across Africa but more in West Africa and Nigeria in particular when the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was yesterday elected as the first female President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the 166th meeting of the OPEC Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Mrs. Alison-Maduke takes over from His Excellency Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish, Libya Vice Prime Minister for Corporation and her tenure takes effect from January 2015. Before her emergence yesterday the Nigerian Minister was the Alternate President of the organisation.
The Conference also elected, Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and Head of its delegation as Alternate President.
Addressing newsmen shortly after her election, Mrs. Alison-Madueke said the US Shale oil and gas had a lot of impacts on all major oil and gas producing economies, stressing that it is a major game changer for all stakeholders in the energy mix across the globe.
She noted that in the months ahead, OPEC would provide a veritable platform for member countries to find a remedy and deal with the issue frontally, noting that there are no quick fixes to the sliding oil prices.
The new OPEC President stated that the burden of falling oil prices is impacting on both OPEC and non-OPEC member countries.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke said that the current trend would make Nigeria to look very stringently again at the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) already before the National Assembly to ensure that the enablers therein are explored to make it more competitive in the global energy market.
On the plans by the Federal Government to prepare for the global fall, she said Nigeria has no recourse at this point in time other than to fully develop her gas infrastructure for domestic use. Rising from the 166th Ordinary Conference, OPEC member countries decided that in the interest of restoring market equilibrium, current production level of 30 million barrels per day as was agreed in December 2011, should be maintained.
Meanwhile, barely few hours after the election of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as the President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a group committed to the nation’s oil sector reforms, the Diezani Promoters Group, has lauded her election to the position, saying it is deserving based on her performances.
A statement by the President of the group, Mallam Hamidu Muhammed, made available to journalists yesterday said the minister’s appointment at a time the international oil market was going through one of its worst pricing crisis would enable her to lead the OPEC into finding lasting solution to the recurring problem in the global oil market.
Also reacting, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has congratulated Mrs. Alison-Madueke on her election as the OPEC President, saying her it is a positive commentary on the rising profile of Nigeria among the comity of nations.
Noting that she is the first woman to occupy the position, Obi linked it to President Goodluck Jonathan’s policy of empowering women and the faith the international community has in Nigeria under Jonathan.
Obi advised Mrs. Alison-Madueke to remain a good ambassador of Nigeria at all times and called on Nigerians to give her maximum support.