Education

Oriental Energy Hands Over Facilities to Community Primary School in Akwa Ibom

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Oriental Energy Hands Over Facilities to Community Primary School in Akwa Ibom

By: Michael Mike

The Indigenous crude oil production company, Oriental Energy Resources Limited has completed and handed over new and upgraded essential teaching and learning facilities to Community Primary School, Ibuot Utan in Effiat, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The event took place on Thursday, 18 August 2022, demonstrating the company’s commitment to education and human capital development in the state, especially in Effiat community.

A press statement on Sunday by the company, said prior to the project by Oriental Energy, the Community Primary School, with more than 60 children and a total of four classrooms barely had seats in the crumbling classrooms, no restroom, and no uniforms nor shoes for most of the children, adding that Ibuot Utan is a small village within the island of Effiat which is relatively isolated from the mainland part of Mbo local government area.

According to the statement, the restoration and provision of new facilities by Oriental Energy is part of its wider initiative of building safe schools to support inclusive and quality education across communities. This is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, as well as evidence of implementation of the Community Assisted Project component of Oriental Energy’s Project Specific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Effiat community.

The statement said in addition, the infrastructure development project was awarded to a contractor who is a native of Effiat. For the same school, another Effiat contractor will be awarded a contract for the renovation of the Teachers’ Quarters, thus making Oriental Energy a shining model of compliance with Nigeria’s Local Content Guidelines of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act of 2010.

A Primary 2 class teacher, Ruth Paul Etim, who grew up in the Ibuot Utan village and had been teaching for over five years at the school was delighted with the development. She said: “I am so happy. We didn’t even have a toilet at all. Now we have 3 new lavatories and new buildings with 4 classrooms and blackboards. We now have so many chairs and desks. More than enough for our children. Can you see how happy they are?”

For Board Member of the Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Sir John Udoh on behalf of its Chairman said that Oriental Energy is identified as a pacesetter in educational development in Mbo and the state at large. “This is one sure way the company has proven that education is serious business. Investing in education, especially at this basic level, is an investment in economic development and prosperity of the state.”

The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Rose Bassey, who represented the Commissioner of Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet at the handover ceremony, said the administration led by Governor Emmanuel Udom placed emphasis on education and in turn, the ministry always welcomed collaborations that made education a success in Akwa Ibom. The ministry described Oriental Energy as public-spirited and proactive about prioritising CSR. “I’m so happy with what the organisation has done in the education sector. Even gone beyond this to tertiary level scholarships and training young people in technical skills.”

The handover will now ensure the school management, Effiat community and SUBEB take full ownership of the facilities.

In addition to the Community Primary School project, Oriental Energy’s imprints in Effiat include the participation of thousands of the community people at the annual 5-day free medical outreach for the people of Mbo. It also includes a 5-day capacity building workshop on Sustainable Community Development Planning and Management which had 10 people from Effiat out of 26 participants in July 2022.

Likewise, the community’s young people were among 250 undergraduates from various LGAs in Akwa Ibom State awarded fully funded scholarships for the 2021/2022 academic session. Also, 7 Effiat young persons were among 15 beneficiaries who have begun a one-year Technical Skills Acquisition Program in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State. Oriental Energy bears the full cost of the training including monthly stipends, personal protection equipment, accommodation, provisions and other essential needs.

As such, Community Leader, Barr. Asuquo Okpo advised youths in Effiat to shun vandalism and support growth on the small island. “This project started 10 years ago but it was disrupted. There would have been so much more development here. Oriental Energy has been a faithful partner.”

Also present was Engr. Emmanuel Inyang, Director of Petroleum Development from the Ministry of Power and Petroleum Development on behalf of the Commissioner, Dr John James Etim. The Commissioner said, “Oriental Energy has proven to be a responsible corporate citizen and a partner to the state. Their social investment in the education sector is incomparable. Handing over the school project to the Community Primary School will enhance human capacity development in the community.” He added that for His Excellency the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the improvement of education remained essential for creating intellectual and high-capacity manpower.

In the same vein, the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Sunday Umana urged the community and pupils of the school to take ownership of the project and safeguard them from vandalism in order to serve the purpose they are meant.

The Managing Director of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Mustafa Indimi, represented by the General Manager for Operations, Mr Augustine Ekeigwe, said the company is focused on creating positive sustainable footprints through projects and programmes that would improve the quality of life of people in various communities in Mbo LGA.

“Effiat community has benefited from our social investment interventions since inception. We consider the communities in our areas of operation as critical stakeholders in our business. And will continue to do so through proactive engagement and strategic social investment,” the MD said.

The core areas of Oriental Energy’s social investment interventions are community health, education and human capital development, enterprise development and support, and capacity building for sustainable development.

Since the commencement of its commercial production, the company has become one of Nigeria’s thriving indigenous companies with full local content capacity. Oriental Energy now leads other marginal field operators with its responsible operations and interventions

Education

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Published

5 days ago

November 4, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Acting VC Prof Dikwa during the handing over session

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The second Vice Chancellor (VC)of the Borno state university (BOSU) Professor Babagana Gutti has said that he would hit the ground running by placing all academic activity in the University on auto governance.

Prof Gutti said during a recent briefing with newsmen that it was his desire for the University community and the general public to be able to see what their wards are doing on campus at each time.

“We shall work with partners and the media to achieve this because the media is part of the University and it is my intention to ensure that this University is one of the best in this country by the time my tenure ends.

“We will use the auto governance system to monitor what the students or members of the University community are doing at every time. I will ensure that technology, research and learning go together

” I expect students to register real time for their programs from any part of the country or the world. The truth is that most Universities do not have such facilities which makes the work very easy to handle for both management and the community.

“We shall present minute by minute development in the campus for the whole world to see.” Said Gutti shortly after taking over the reigns of activities from the acting VC Prof Haruna Dikwa.

Earlier acting Vice Chancellor Professor Haruna Dlakawa said he was excited and grateful to the visitor Prof Babagana Zulum for giving him the opportunity to have served the University in an acting capacity on the exit of the pioneer VC Professor Kyari Sandabe.

He asked the University community to forgive him wherever he had offended any of them during the period of acting capacity as the Vice Chancellor.

Unveiling his report card, the second VC noted that the young University which started with just 30 programs have graduated it’s first set of graduates cutting across all the facilities..

“As at today, we have 835 staff employed directly by BOSU while 270 were absorbed from the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education. And because of the memorandum of understanding we have with the University of Maiduguri 193 staff are on visiting appointment.

” Also, the University now has 19 Professors on sabbaticals while the student population has risen up to 7,398 in the campus.

” I want to report to you that 26 physical development project has been executed so far on campus while some of them have been stalled temporarily and I will be calling on the second Vice chancellor to look into these projects.”

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Education

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

By: Michael Mike

An empowerment foundation, Webmark Empowerment Foundation has advocated the need to educate Nigerians on strategies to identify stressors and be conversant with with our to cope with them in order to significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders in the country.

The foundation said there is an urgent need to raise an awareness about the critical impact of stressors on mental health and the proactive measures that can be taken to prevent mental health disorders across the country, during a virtual event it held on Friday in Abuja in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA Estate, Connect Her Network Foundation, and Secure the Future International Initiative to commemorate the 2024 World Mental Health Day themed “Health at Work”.

The World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 10, to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.

Speaking at the event, a Mental Health rehabilitation professional, Dr. Saadatu Adamu, highlighted the psychological effects of stress and its potential to lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

She said: “Mental health is how we think, feel and act. Stress is a silent epidemic that can manifest in various ways, affecting not just individuals but an entire society.”

She added that: “By learning to identify stressors and implementing coping strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders.”

Adamu also recommended some practical techniques for stress management, including mindfulness practices, physical exercise, and the importance of social support systems.

Also speaking, Webmark Empowerment Foundation trustee member, Dr. Maha Michael said that one in four Nigerians, approximately fifty million people, are suffering from some sort of mental illness according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Concerned about these statistics, he advised citizens to take their mental health more seriously especially with the pressure of prevailing economic challenges.

He also noted the growing concern over the mental health crisis exacerbated by various societal pressures, including economic instability, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael added that recognising and addressing these stressors is essential for fostering a healthier society.

On her part, founder Connect Her Network (known for empowering women and girls),
Ambassador Victoria Ojiah emphasised the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.

She said: “Women and girls are particularly susceptible to stressors related to societal expectations and economic pressures. It is crucial to provide them with the tools and resources to manage their mental health effectively.”

Ojiah also highlighted the crucial role of mental health to overall wellbeing, saying that good health encompassed physical, mental, social, spiritual, and financial aspects; going beyond the mere absence of diseases or infirmity.

The Programme Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs Alukwe Ugochinyere reiterated their commitment to breaking the stigma associated with mental health disorders by bringing these issue to the forefront, to encourage individuals to seek help when needed and to support one another in their mental health journeys.

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Education

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

By:Michael Mike

Celebrated and award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, will be the keynote speaker at the Graduation Ceremony of the class of 2024 School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

The event, with the theme “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words”, will also see two-time Minister of the Federal Republic and founder SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SPPG, Ms Alero Ayida-Otobo and the Dean, SPPG, Dr Abiola Akiyode address the graduands who are poised to become transformative leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking with Tribune Online in Abuja, the CEO, SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo, said the School aims to disrupt the cycle of poor governance by training a new generation of ethical and effective leaders through its innovative curriculum.

She added that the time is ripe for Africa to take the bulls by the horns, challenge the status quo, and bring on board in their numbers people with character, and competence to redirect the African course.

“For as long as Africa continues on the path of very poor politics, a political culture that subordinates the common good for personal, private or narrow interest, there is no chance of Africa achieving economic development. This event underscores SPPG’s commitment to cultivating a new breed of leaders dedicated to improving governance in Nigeria and Africa. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing governance challenges, the importance of equipping leaders with character, competence, and capacity to serve the people cannot be overemphasised.
“So, if Africans need to transform our politics and we just sit back as citizens hoping that those who have entrenched poor governance as a matter of political culture will someday have a Damascus experience, we will wait forever. We have proven that people of character, competence, and capacity will enter Africa’s politics in great numbers. This will challenge the existing monopolistic pipeline of poor politicians giving bad governance.
“The graduation theme, “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words,” reflects SPPG’s mission to prioritise citizen engagement and foster a governance model centred on the needs of the people. We are dedicated to transforming politics and governance across Nigeria and Africa by training a new generation of political leaders with values-based, disruptive thinking. The ceremony will include keynote addresses from esteemed leaders and a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments,” Ayida-Otobo said in a statement.

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria