Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, has been named Downstream Man of the Year for the Nigerian oil industry at the annual Oil Trading and Logistics Conference 2018.

The debonair entrepreneur who sits atop the fast-growing Rainoil Group of businesses, was presented the award at the event, which had in attendance energy experts, petroleum industry bigwigs, public sector personalities, a cross section of thought leaders and celebrities.

Preceding the individual award, Rainoil Limited was presented the Merit Award for Industry Impact for its innovative oil retail operations in recent years.

Speaking after receiving the awards, Ogbechie thanked the event organisers for the honour among peers. He expressed his happiness at the recognition, saying; “It is a culmination of hard work and commitment to the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry for the past 26 years.”

Rainoil Limited, an integrated downstream oil and gas company, commenced operations in 1997 and has grown into a favourite petroleum marketer across the country with capability spanning the entire downstream value chain, including petroleum product storage, haulage/distribution and retail sales.

Fired by entrepreneurial spirit as a young man, Ogbechie chose early to provide employment rather than being an employee. The mustard seed has since grown into no fewer than 20 branches across the country and well over 70 trucks and technology-driven oil tank farm in Delta State.

Founded in 1994, the company employs over 600 staff and has commissioned an ultra-modern head office on the Lagos Island.