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Recently, Mrs. Patience Maseli retired from the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as a Deputy Director after 35 years of meritorious service.
The first child and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Akpokene, Maseli holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from the University of Benin and a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
An amazon in the oil industry, Maseli operated in a male dominated terrain but worked twice as hard as her male counterparts to develop herself to reach the pinnacle of her career. Now a consultant in the industry, Maseli, a geologist, who was privileged to be given a role to name a drilling ship; West Capela in South Korea she was brought to Nigeria, told journalists about her sojourn in the oil industry. She also attributed her success to God’s providence, in particular, her encounter with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, founder of the Church of God’s Mission. Excerpts:
You recently retired from the Department of Petroleum Resources after 35 years of Meritorious Service, how do you view retirement?
I am retired but certainly not tired. Still full of energy and have a lot more to contribute to the petroleum industry. For now I will like to take a break and get recharged for the next phase
You are from Ibrede town located within Ndokwa East Local Govt area of Delta State, can you talk about your childhood and the role your parents played in your accomplishments?
Ibrede community originally was situated in Isoko North Local government area, but was relocated to Ndokwa East LGA arising from boundary adjustment using the River Niger.
Ibrede community belong to Isoko tribe.
But I didn’t grow up at home. My parents lived and worked in Benin City for most part of my early years, and as such primary, secondary and tertiary education was acquired in Benin City.
I had a beautiful childhood, especially coming from a back ground where both parents were educationists.
That meant we had to study a lot especially after school hours and being the first child of three siblings and in particular the only female, a lot of attention was focused on me and ensured I was well groomed both domestically and educational wise for the future. My parents indeed provided a good foundation for me which shaped me, outcome is the accomplishments so far .
How did you get into the Oil and Gas Industry, the journey so far and specifically in the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)?
My journey into the industry began in 1982 after my graduation from the University of Benin and was sent to Rivers State for the mandatory National Youth Service Programme.
My primary assignment was in NNPC , Research and Development Division, where I worked as a palynologist within the geology laboratory.
My performance earned me an employment into the organisation in 1983, and was deployed to the Petroleum Inspectorate Division in which today is the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)
With a career spanning 35 years, through diligence, hard work and grace of God, I rose through the ranks from Petrophysicist in 1983,
Senior Geologist in 1992, Chief Geologist 2003, Assistant Director 2006 to occupy the position of Deputy Director and Head, Upstream In 2017 up till November 2018 when I attained the mandatory retirement age.
Upon my promotion as an Assistant Director in 2006, I was responsible for the Resources Management Branch of the Upstream Division Of DPR, in 2014 was redeployed to the Exploration Branch and also doubled as the National Data Repository ( NDR) where all oil and gas industry data is kept in safe custody. It’s actually called the Industry data bank. One of the remarkable achievement is that under my leadership the standard of the facility was raised to international standard.
In 2015, I was deployed to the Domestic Gas Obligation Branch of the Gas Division to strengthen the regulation and monitoring of the domestic gas sector
During this period the domestic sector went through a commendable level of Gas revolution in alignment with the seven big wins programme. This gave rise to the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation project which will be a big leap towards actualising the flare down programme by the Petroleum Minister.
Having effectively established the Domestic Gas Branch, I was then redeployed to Head the Upstream Division in 2017.
Within these periods , I have represented DPR in many forums, locally and internationally, Norway, France, UK, US, South Korea, Italy etc.
It’s been an interesting experience.
You have done extremely well as a Geoscientist in a male dominated field. You also pioneered alongside other women and served as the first steering committee chairperson for Women in Geosciences and Engineering (WiGE).
What challenges do women in that field face and how were you able to surmount them to get to the peak of your career?
To get to the peak in a male dominated industry, glass ceilings has to be cracked. When I was recruited
Women hardly went to the rig because the infrastructure was not gender sensitive and we were relegated to the office. Young engineers and Geologist were expected to be in field and build capacity
We pushed for the change and today women are in there with the men. The modern rigs have been built to accommodate both genders
Also getting a female mentor was a challenge since the women were few was a challenge and had to cope with challenges with having male mentors.
Women had to work twice as hard as the men to get to the top. That was tough because as a woman you had to take care of the home as well.
I was at the drilling site when Shell’s Agbada 59 and 60 wells were drilled, and did one week on and off in the late 80’s
That experience helped me a lot in my career.
Navigating to the top required hard work, DPR sent me on several training programs locally and international in addition to self development.
I belong to several professional bodies like Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationist ( NAPE) where I am a fellow, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS),
American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG) and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
A lot of capacity is built from participating in the technical meetings of these associations and attending international conferences as well.
What is your advice for women aspiring for the field, how can they navigate through the male dominated and challenging endeavour?
For students in the secondary institutions they have to take some the of the STEM subjects.
Those already in the field, I will advise they must be hardworking, professional, focused, dedicated and committed and also develop themselves without relying solely on the organisation.
They should have a voice, contribute at meetings , be at the table putting their opinions across and should not relegate themselves to the background.
How do you intend to transfer your experience to the younger generation ?
Few Women ascend to top management positions in this industry and that was one of the objectives of WiGE is to bridge the gap and assist the young ones to navigate to the top
WiGE is affiliated to NAPE and at the annual conferences , there is a side event where both young and old participate. We bring in motivational speakers drawn from and outside the industry to educate the young ones. We have achieved a lot since we were established over five years ago.
We also plan to visit secondary institutions to guide female students on choice of subjects if they plan to join the industry
You hail from the Niger Delta area, kindly tell us how you have been able to empower the women?
I have granted educational assistance to students both males and females within my community payed for training programme for some students in FUPRE( Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun in Delta State
Companies operating in those areas were also advised to grant scholarships to students from the Niger Delta, employ the skilled and unskilled
What would you say are your secrets for the smooth balance between family and work, seeing that you have excelled in effectively managing both ?
Effective Planning, Family support especially from my spouse, my mother and domestic wards and God’s grace.
Some say life begins at 40, others say 50, but for you it seems life begins at 60 because you still look young and energetic?
It takes a lot of discipline to be healthy and fit. The secret lies in eating fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, exercise, avoiding frizzy drinks and packet juices
Active for God, for instance I have been singing in the choir right from primary school till date from Church of God Mission (Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa’s Church) and the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Promised Land Parish, that brings a lot of refreshment to the body.
I am also happily married, that takes a lot of stress off me.
What about the fashion sense?
It was inherited from my father of blessed memory. Singers are usually stylish too, that put together and having very good designers projected my fashion.
You mean the famous Archbishop Benson Idahosa, what was your relationship?
Yes, I met him in 1970 and I gave my life to Christ in Church of God Mission in Benin City. I was one of his children in the Lord. I went with him as a young girl right from primary school to crusades all over Nigeria singing up until 1979 when I left for the University.
Tell us more about your experience with the Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa?
I gave my life to Christ as a child through his Ministry in 1970
Before then we were Anglicans.
I knew the Arch Bishop when he had his Vespa Motorcycle and in the company of his wife Arch Bishop Margaret Idabosa brought my brother and I to church every Sunday with the bike.
In those days there were no fancy chairs in Pentecostal churches, and we assisted in gluing newspapers on wooden planks in preparation for Sunday services. It was fun to us as children.We were part of those that participated in building the Miracle Center in Benin City.
He officiated at my wedding ceremony in Benin City
How did you feel when he died?
It came to me as big shock because the night before he died , I had a revelation of him at a big crusade in a stadium, just like the ones I participated in those early years of his ministry. He then requested for a particular song from the congregation. Nobody could sing it.
I indicated I could sing it, and I did ‘There is a sweet Spirit in this place and I know it is the presence of the Lord…’
The anointing that accompanied the song was powerful. He then blessed me in that dream with cassettes, cash and prayed for me.
It was quite vivid when I woke up Thursday morning, only to hear later he went to be with the Lord in the afternoon of that same Thursday 12th March 1998.
I believe that the blessings he impacted to me through prayers that night is the result I see in my life today
I thank God for his life especially for bringing revival to Nigeria through his Pentecostal Ministry
What next after retirement?
Mostly Consulting and taking care of my grandchildren
Living a relaxed life, exploring the world and places which hitherto I couldn’t see, above all to continue with the service of the Lord.
