News
UNIPORT Tasks Shell On Geosciences Centre Of Excellence
The University of Port Harcourt, has tasked the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to establish a world-class Geosciences Centre of Excellence in the institution to train a pool of reservoir engineers to replenish the depleting stock of professionals in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Don Baridam, who threw the challenge during the inauguration of the 2009 Shell Summer School at the University of Port Harcourt, recently, said the establishment of the centre at this time will address the problem of dearth of competent and well trained reservoir engineers to drive Nigeria’s quest for more oil fields and sustain the nation’s position in the exploration and production industry.
Prof Baridam noted that “with globalisation, internationally trained graduates are in high demand to work in multidisciplinary oil and gas field development and studies”, adding that “as the frontier of oil and gas exploration expands into deeper depths in the Gulf of Guinea and the need to manage mature fields increases, so will the need for competent reservoir geoscientists expand”.
According to him, a survey has shown that, “the training of world-class petroleum geoscientists is dying in Africa and this prompted the University of Port Harcourt to include the establishment of a centre for petroleum geosciences in its 2003-2013 Strategic Plan”.
The UNIPORT Vice Chancellor said the field of geosciences was increasingly becoming sophisticated in technology and software applications, and lamented that Nigerian universities were ill-equipped and under-funded to cope with these challenges.
He, therefore, solicited “the support of Shell in the establishment of a Centre for Petroleum Geosciences at the University of Port Harcourt to produce high quality graduates in this very important field and effectively contribute to ameliorate the dearth of world-class petroleum geoscientists in Africa.”
“This centre will be a centre of excellence in geosciences”, he said, adding that both “Shell and the University of Port Harcourt will develop a modular course scheme that will draw from the pools of staff from the university and Shell to strengthen the academic and industry interface”.
Prof Baridam noted the establishment of the Institute of Petroleum Studies at the university in 2003 in partnership with IFP School, France, and the solid support of TOTAL E&P Nigeria Limited which helped ensure international recognition for the degree programmes of the institute, and promised Shell that a similar feat awaits the proposed Centre for Petroleum Geosciences, if the partnership works out.
Responding, General Manager, Geosciences, Shell, Mr Nedo Osayande, said the company has had substantial footprints in the university, which include support of the establishment of the ICT Centre, and the Shell–Aret Adams Professorial Chair, equipment and library support, sponsorship of UNIPORT students to Society of Petroleum Engineers annual conference in Abuja as well as the Gourami competition in Portugal, the provision of opportunities for 25 lecturers to undergo their sabbaticals and 24 research internships between 2001 and 2009.
Osayande, who represented SPDC Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, said Shell firmly believes that the long-term relationship between it and the University of Port Harcourt will continue to be mutually beneficial, and promised to forward the institution’s request to Shell management for consideration.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.
The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.
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