In what will turn out to be the most impressive Staff event in the annals of the Total Group in Nigeria, management last Friday, 23-Nov-2007 rolled out the red carpet in honour 129 employees for their dedication, loyalty and meritorious service to the company.
The colourful ceremony which analysts have dubbed, "Total Emmy Awards", had all the glamour and glitz of an event of international standards. The illuminated stage with beautiful corporate banners and messages also had full compliments of a dazzling stage and spotlights.
For the first time in the company's history in Nigeria, the Long Service Awards had variety of innovative features. Some of these include performance by an ensemble - The Port Harcourt Arts Society (PHARSO) Choir, broadcast of a Features Documentary on the importance of employees and the presentation of diamond crystal awards plaques imported from overseas for the recipients.
In his welcome address at the occasion, the DMD, Corporate, Mr. Alek Musa said the Long Service Awards is designed to honour and recognize employees who over the years have helped to lay the foundation for the company's growth in various areas. "I congratulate them all for their dedication and resilience and hope that the future generation of employees will build on the foundation they have laid".
"This year's awards ceremony is laden with so many innovations. One is the highlight on diversity and Integration. Some personnel excluded in the past such as single female employees who are non managers have been invited. Also, some of our very new employees are here on personal invitation. I hope you will take the message that indeed, Total values its employees. I also believe that you have a lot to learn from the pedigree of some of those being honoured today." he added.
Mr. Musa used the opportunity to commend the organizers of this year's awards ceremony led by Manager, Communications, Mr. Charles Ogan; for the innovative showpiece on display. "Early this year, we took a decision to shift the responsibility of organizing this staff event from core HR to the Internal Communications Team led by Charles Ogan. From what we are seeing here today, our optimism in taking that decision is not misplaced". The unforgettable event which was presided over by the Managing Director / Chief Executive, Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes had an unprecedented attendance by management and other invitees. They are Deputy Managing Director, Technical, Mr. Roger Poirier; Executive Director, Strategy, Business & NOA; Mr. Charles Ngoka; Executive Director, External Affairs, Mr. John Addeh; Executive General Manager, JV Offshore Asset, Mr. Patrick Ngene; Executive General Manager, Technical Services & Nigerian Content, Mr. Olubunmi Obembe; Executive General Manager, GSR, Dr. Kingsley Ojoh; Executive General Manager, Finance & Control, Mrs. Carol Hart; Executive General Manager, JV Onshore Asset, Mr. Fabrice Arnaud; Executive General Manager, Eastern Deepwater Asset, Mr. Alain Guenot; and General Manager, Human Resources & Internal Communications, Mr. Peter Igbinovia.