Education
Oriental Energy Hands Over Facilities to Community Primary School in Akwa Ibom
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
Borno State Scholarship Board Defends 2025 Budget Before State Assembly Committee
By: Our Reporter
This morning, the Borno State Scholarship Board, led by its Executive Secretary, Malam Bala Isa, appeared before the Borno State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to defend its 2025 budget proposal.
The budget defense session was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Gambomi Marte, representing Marte Constituency, with support from other committee members, including Hon. Mohammed Kawajjafa, representing Hawul Constituency.
During the session, the Scholarship Board outlined its proposed budgetary allocations and key initiatives aimed at improving access to education for Borno State students. The discussions emphasized the importance of continued scholarship programs to enhance educational opportunities and human capital development across the state.
Borno State Scholarship Board Defends 2025 Budget Before State Assembly Committee
THREE NEW PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF BOSU RESUME OFFICE
By: Our Reporter
Three newly appointed Principal officers of the Borno State University, have been presented with their letters of appointment.
The presentation which was performed by Professor Emeritus Abubakar Mustapha on behalf of the Pro – Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alh. Dr. Muhammadu Indimi follows approval of their appointment by Visitor to the University and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on recommendation of the University’s Council.
Those appointed are Hajiya Jallaba Musa Sheikh as Registrar, Malam Kyari Dunoma Dunoma as Bursar and Dr Hamsatu Kadala Ali as the University Librarian.
Their appointment is for a period of five years with effect from 16th December 2024.
The new Registrar Hajiya Jallaba M. Sheikh is an indigene of Maiduguri Metropolis. Until her appointment she is the Director and Head, Admissions office, University of Maiduguri.
The new Bursar, Kyari Dunoma Dunoma, hails from Manguno Local Government of Borno State. Until his present appointment, he was a Deputy Bursar at University of Maiduguri.
The new University Librarian, Dr Hamsatu kadala Ali on the other hand, hails from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State. She was acting Librarian Federal University Gashua for five years. Until her present appointment she was the Head of Department Library and Information Science, Federal University Gashua.
In their separate remarks both Prof. Emeritus Abubakar Mustapha and the Vice-Chancellor BOSU, Prof. Babagana Gutti, congratulated the new appointees and urged them contribute their quota in the progress and development of the University.
The outgoing Registrar, Zanna Mustapha Kashim commended all that sat for the interview as they have all done well and urged the new appointees to help management build a verile University.
The new appointees in their separate acceptance remarks pledged to put in their best to move the University forward.
THREE NEW PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF BOSU RESUME OFFICE
Education
2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION
2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION
By: Polycarp Okoye
Headquarters (HQ), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), organised quiz and debate competition for Command Secondary Schools within 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) for 2024/2025 academic session. The event was held at the Division’s Auditorium from, Monday 18 – Thursday 21 November, 2024. It afforded participating schools and students the opportunity to compete amongst themselves, featuring varied questions from different academic fields, including Information Communication Technology (ICT), current affairs and general Knowledge.
While declaring the one week event open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Obinna Onubogu, noted that exposing students to quiz and debate competitions amidst their academic activities, remains a major driving factor that challenges their thinking mechanism, while redoubling developmental processes with appropriate and effective career prospects for achieving desired result. He said that, quizzes and debates, are empirically proven to reinvigorate continuous and effective education system that give students a break from the normal traditional classroom learning, and prepare them to excell in practical and realistic circumstances. He added that the academic competitions would serve as strong interactive and motivational platform for students to imbibe team spirit, acquire knowledge, and embolden their speech and communication skills.
General Onubogu, further said, that the competition was aimed at exposing students to critical thinking, and make them appreciate the importance of extensive research for improved innovation and intelligence. “This event, is therefore another forum through which schools can expand their students’ frontier of knowledge; making them even famous amongst their peers”, he said. He implored all students to utilise the opportunity to develope themselves, and as well earn glory to their respective schools and families.
The GOC, expressed deep appreciation to the Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, for his unwavering support towards the competition; while applauding the Director, 2 Division Education Services (DDES), Colonel AO Sofoluwe, as well as teachers and organisers of the event for their priceless contributions to human capacity development. He
urged the panel of judges to be fair and firm in order to ensure a balanced, honest and realistic result.
The participating students at the competition, represented Command Secondary Schools (CDSS) Odogbo, Mokola, Akure and Ijebu – Ode. Others were, CDSS Ede, Esan – Ekiti, Saki, and Ibadan. Students in the senior category, competed in English language, Mathematics, Phisics, Chemistry, Biology, General paper, and current affairs; while those in the junior category, slogged it out in English language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Basic Technology, Agricultural Science, General knowledge, and current affairs. After three days of intense intellectual battle, winners in the different categories emerged.
For the junior category, CDSS Akure and Ijebu – Ode came 3rd and 2nd runner ups with 139.95 and 141.1 points respectively; while CDSS Ede came first with 143.65 points. In the senior category, CDSS Mokola and Odogbo finished 3rd and 2nd positions, with 73.61 and 73.70 percentages respectively; while CDSS Saki, took the day with 77.50 percent. Winners in the two categories were duly rewarded with appropriate trophies, awards, and cash prices to motivate them, and increase commitment for improved future performances. Their teachers and organisers equally received cash gifts as appreciation for the efforts they invest in training the children.
The DDES, who delivered vote of thanks, appreciated God for sustaining the committee in its various engagements towards preparing for the event. He further thanked the GOC for his unwavering support; saying the competition was inspired by his (GOC’s) burning interest to ensure that NA schools across 2 Division AOR, and beyond, are well positioned to meet up global standards. Colonel Sofoluwe, also appreciated the Schools Commandants, organising committee members, panel of judges, and teachers for their contributions towards the success of the event. Principal Staff Officers, Units and Formations Commanders, as well as Officers and Soldiers of the Division’s HQ witnessed the competition.
2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION
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