Tejiri Ebikeme
The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has been applauded for its commitment to the growth of Education and youth development in Nigeria through the National Art Competition and the various scholarship and other educational/vocational support projects it has been sponsoring over the years.
The Supervisory Minister of Education, Hon. Nyesom Wike made the commendation on Thursday October 31, 2013 in Asaba Delta State during the 2013 National Art Competition organized by the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture. Represented by Barrister Chike Uwaezuoke, the Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, the minister stated that of particular note was the Scholarship for the Blind and the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals Scholarship (AMEPS) programme in which over 12,000 scholars have benefitted.
He stated that by supporting and providing the children opportunities to project their creativity, the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture is helping to preserve some of our today for posterity and also encouraging imaginative interpretation of our collective experience.
In his own remarks at the occasion, Mr. Ebifa Olisaeloka Ijeoma, Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Delta State, who represented the State Governor, thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for sustaining the organization of the Arts competition and partnering with the government to develop the education sector. He also commended the company for its various programs aimed at improving the consciousness of the young building towards nation building and promised that the Delta State government will continue to partner with the company to implement programs in the area of education.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman/Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop who was represented by Mr. Raymond Wilcox, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, stated that the competition which began in 2004 was conceptualized as part of the company’s desire to contribute positively to the life of the Nigerian youth, as children are indeed the future of Nigeria.
He informed that the 2013 theme of the competition: “Dignity in Labour” resulted in 533 entries from students across Nigeria, out of which 20 were selected adding that the participants gave the theme various insightful and creative interpretations.
Emphasizing the company’s vision of being the global energy company most admired for its people, partnership and performance, he noted that over a hundred and forty (140) students have emerged as winners in the NNPC/Chevron National Art Competition for Nigerian Secondary School Students since the onset of the program. “Chevron in Nigeria plays a leading role in the development of indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s youths and has ardently demonstrated its commitment by executing various programs in partnership with governments, communities, indigenous companies, local contractors, NGOs and educational institutions,” he stated.
The first prize for this year’s competition went to Darl Uzu Otitodirichukwu of Day Waterman College Abeokuta; while Olapega Olaifa of Peaklane College Akute, Ogun State and Onyekachi Unobuagha of UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary School Edo State were second and third runners-up respectively. Certificates were presented to the 20 winners while the first, second and third received cheques for various amounts of money and scholarship for the rest of their college years. The participating schools were also presented with plagues.
The event was attended by several government officials from the Federal and Delta State Ministries of Education and about 600 secondary schools’ students from Delta State, the art teachers and parents of the winners, adjudication juries, members of the public and the media. Supporting Mr. Raymond Wilcox from Chevron side, were Mrs. Funmi Shadiya, wife of the Director, NNPC/CNL JV Operations, Mr. Tunji Idowu, Area Manager, PGPA West and other PGPA staff.
