The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture has reiterated it’s committment to supporting quality education in the country.
Mr Jim Swartz, the Chairman/Managing Director of CNL gave the assurance on Saturday at the award presentation ceremony for the 2024 Prof. Stephen Awokoya Memorial Competition in Chemistry.
The ceremony which was the 36th edition of the annual programme was held at the PTI conference centre, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Swartz who was represented by Mr Rotimi Awotuyi, Senior Community Engagement Advisor of the CNL, noted that education remains a veritable tool for fostering self-worth, societal growth, and sustainable development.
“We make efforts to support this important component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Nigerian National Policy on Education.
“We will continue to invest in and support quality education through provision of education infrastructures, sponsorship of manpower development programs, and provision of scholarships,” he said.
Swartz expressed joy that Chevron’s contributions to education were yielding positive results in the country.
He said that the NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture was honored to have been the sole sponsor of the competition in Delta State since 1992 till date.
“Today, we have seen a sustained commitment to the subject of Chemistry as demonstrated by the outcomes of the various stages of examinations in the 2024 edition.
“We feel proud every time we gather to celebrate excellence in Chemistry through this award ceremony.
“The Awokoya Chemistry Competition was initiated to promote the study of the subject among secondary school students, and in memory of Prof. Awokoya, a great Chemist, who died on March 15, 1985.
“This Chevron-sponsored competition has engendered great interest in the study of Chemistry among secondary school students.
“Beyond the fact that competitions such as this help to immortalize the persons they are named after, they also help the students to develop their mental aptitude for personal development and thus add more value to the society.
“The 2024 edition saw an increased participation of students by over 12 per cent, with as much as 507 students from 235 schools participating from the first stage,” he said.
Swartz said that it was evident that some past winners of the competition had gone further to become national champions in other Chemistry competitions.
He said that students from Delta State emerged first, second, third and fourth positions in the 2024 edition of the competition in the South South region.
Swartz added that a student from Delta State also clinched the first position in the 2024 edition of the Chemistry competition at the National level.
“Our findings reveal that past awardees have proceeded to further their studies in science-related disciplines at the university level, both locally and internationally and are doing very well.
“The NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture’s motivation to continue to support the competition is sustained by the evidential performance of students from Delta State in both regional and national competitions over the years,” he said
Swartz, however, pointed out that with the continued support and commitments of the Delta State Ministry of Education and the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), the Awokoya Memorial Competition would continue to stimulate students’ interest in the study of Chemistry.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Rufus Sha’ato, the President, CSN said that Chemistry drives the society.
“We raise issues about environmental pollution and it is Chemistry that brings solutions to environmental sustainability.
“So, it is important we continue to advance the course of Chemistry. We should encourage the young ones to embrace Chemistry because, it is central to our lives,” he said.
Mrs Rose Ezewu, the Delta Commissioner for Secondary Education, represented by Dr Benjamin Ogheneovo, commended the CSN for promoting the study of Chemistry in the state.
In his address of welcome, Mr Koida Owate, Chairman, CSN, Delta State chapter urged the awardees and others students to embrace academic excellence.
He said that the growth and sustainable development of the country could only be achieved through innovations and research.
While Nwogwu Udoka clinched the first prize, Samuel Ebubechukwu and Sunmonu Abdurrahman won the second and third prizes respectively in the competition.
Mr Jim Swartz, the Chairman/Managing Director of CNL gave the assurance on Saturday at the award presentation ceremony for the 2024 Prof. Stephen Awokoya Memorial Competition in Chemistry.
The ceremony which was the 36th edition of the annual programme was held at the PTI conference centre, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Swartz who was represented by Mr Rotimi Awotuyi, Senior Community Engagement Advisor of the CNL, noted that education remains a veritable tool for fostering self-worth, societal growth, and sustainable development.
“We make efforts to support this important component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Nigerian National Policy on Education.
“We will continue to invest in and support quality education through provision of education infrastructures, sponsorship of manpower development programs, and provision of scholarships,” he said.
Swartz expressed joy that Chevron’s contributions to education were yielding positive results in the country.
He said that the NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture was honored to have been the sole sponsor of the competition in Delta State since 1992 till date.
“Today, we have seen a sustained commitment to the subject of Chemistry as demonstrated by the outcomes of the various stages of examinations in the 2024 edition.
“We feel proud every time we gather to celebrate excellence in Chemistry through this award ceremony.
“The Awokoya Chemistry Competition was initiated to promote the study of the subject among secondary school students, and in memory of Prof. Awokoya, a great Chemist, who died on March 15, 1985.
“This Chevron-sponsored competition has engendered great interest in the study of Chemistry among secondary school students.
“Beyond the fact that competitions such as this help to immortalize the persons they are named after, they also help the students to develop their mental aptitude for personal development and thus add more value to the society.
“The 2024 edition saw an increased participation of students by over 12 per cent, with as much as 507 students from 235 schools participating from the first stage,” he said.
Swartz said that it was evident that some past winners of the competition had gone further to become national champions in other Chemistry competitions.
He said that students from Delta State emerged first, second, third and fourth positions in the 2024 edition of the competition in the South South region.
Swartz added that a student from Delta State also clinched the first position in the 2024 edition of the Chemistry competition at the National level.
“Our findings reveal that past awardees have proceeded to further their studies in science-related disciplines at the university level, both locally and internationally and are doing very well.
“The NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture’s motivation to continue to support the competition is sustained by the evidential performance of students from Delta State in both regional and national competitions over the years,” he said
Swartz, however, pointed out that with the continued support and commitments of the Delta State Ministry of Education and the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), the Awokoya Memorial Competition would continue to stimulate students’ interest in the study of Chemistry.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Rufus Sha’ato, the President, CSN said that Chemistry drives the society.
“We raise issues about environmental pollution and it is Chemistry that brings solutions to environmental sustainability.
“So, it is important we continue to advance the course of Chemistry. We should encourage the young ones to embrace Chemistry because, it is central to our lives,” he said.
Mrs Rose Ezewu, the Delta Commissioner for Secondary Education, represented by Dr Benjamin Ogheneovo, commended the CSN for promoting the study of Chemistry in the state.
In his address of welcome, Mr Koida Owate, Chairman, CSN, Delta State chapter urged the awardees and others students to embrace academic excellence.
He said that the growth and sustainable development of the country could only be achieved through innovations and research.
While Nwogwu Udoka clinched the first prize, Samuel Ebubechukwu and Sunmonu Abdurrahman won the second and third prizes respectively in the competition.
