News
SPDC Spends N467m On 30 Overseas Scholars
L-R apc Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi, apc national leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu and former Head of State, retired Major-General Muhammed Buhari, at apc mega rally in Ado-Ekiti, recently. Photo: NAN
In line with its corporate policy to build capacity of Niger Delta youth to enable them bridge the manpower gap in the oil and gas industry, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has spent about $3million (approximately N487.2million) in three years to empower 30 Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers students with post-graduate degrees in geosciences and engineering disciplines from three top universities in the United Kingdom.
The universities are Imperial College, London, University College, London, and University of Leeds while
the 30 students are products of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 batches of the ingenous scholarship initiative.
Speaking at the grand reception for the third batch of 10 scholars of the Niger Delta Overseas Post-
Graduate Scholarship scheme in his residence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, said that the fourth batch of another 10 students were about to round up their programme while approval is underway for the fifth batch of 10 to commence their studies in September, 2014.
Sunmonu said that the scheme was initiated “because we recognised that Nigerian university graduates in our core operating areas needed to have a competitive advantage to be considered for key leadership opportunities in the oil and gas industry anywhere” in the world.
The managing director, who is also the country chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), noted that the all-expenses paid scheme was designed to ensure that the focus of the students is fuuly on their studies, saying that “we decided to get you fully involved and equipped with a first class education because we believe that this is the exposure you need to confidently play on any stage. We have no doubt that you, the next generation of oil and gas professionals, will make a difference in the industry.”
He stated that the transparency, rigorous and auditable merit-based selection process was designed to engender premium academic competition and performance amongst the very best university graduates
from the three states in the region, adding that in order to further enrich the scheme’s content, an internship project for scholars from Imperial College to undertake specific research studies on SCiN assets has commenced since 2013.
Sunmonu explained that apart from the Niger Delta Overseas Post-Graduate Scholarship, the company has also invested significantly in human capital development by facilitating access to education at all levels, stressing that “in 2013, the sum of $7million was spent on scholarship programmes for 1,795 secondary and 850 university students.
“Some Niger Delta youths were also trained in business management and entrepreneurship development under the SPDC JV LiveWIRE programme. This is in addition to our support for science fairs and full sponsorship ofthe national science quiz competition”, Sunmonu said.
According to him, “Nigeria is the largest recipient of social investment spending by the Shell Group globally. We are happy that our investments in formal and informal education represent one of the biggest corporate social responsibility portfolios operated by any private company in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
In his remarks, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Igo Weli, emphasised that the scheme has enabled Shell train high-level professionals for leadership positions in the oil and gas industry, saying that with 30 beneficiaries already contributing to the efficiency and productive capacity of the industry, the region would soon begin to dominate top leadership and drive the industry of the future.
Represented at the event by Camillus Umoh, the NCD general manager said that the performance of the 30 graduates of the scheme since its inception in 2010 has justified the huge investment in building the capacity of Niger Delta youths to take up leadership roles in the industry and play their parts in community, state and national development, noting that the scheme has in no small measure added another impetus to Shell’s local content development profile.
In their goodwill messages, General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Nedo Osayande, and NGO and Reputation Manager, Dr Alice Ajie, said Shell’s long-standing education policy has continued to add value to the skilled manpower base of the region in particular and Nigeria in general, noting especially the impact of the Shell Summer School programme in improving knowledge in engineering and geosciences fields for the benefit of the national’s academic institutions, the people and the industry.
They urged the beneficiaries to form a network of scholars of the overseas post-graduate scheme, and also plug into the Shell Scholars Forum to enable them harness the abundant potential in interacting more closely with the different units of the large family of the leading international oil and gas company.
Also speaking, General Manager, Human Resources, Charles Gbandi, said Shell has concluded plans for early monitoring and evaluation of all scholars under the scheme with a view to ensuring that their very best are recruited to join the company’s workforce, saying that Shell would from 2015 have the first choice of refusal of employment from the beneficiaries.
He said that the policy would allow Shell conclude its recruitment interviews and processes with the scholars while they are still undertaking their studies, explaining that the new policy would avail Shell the opportunity to benefit from its investment in quality geosciences and engineering education in the region.
In their various testimonials, seven of the scholars noted the first class, top quality, highly intensive and competitive academic climate they were exposed to in just one year, and commended Shell for giving them the rare privilege to acquire Master’s Degrees from three of the top universities in the world.
The scholars, who said that without Shell, their dream of acquiring post-graduate degrees from one of the best universities in the world would not have been possible, expressed their desire to work for Shell to enable them contribute to the industry and national development.
Present at the reception were Diakparomre Ufuoma Azubuike (Delta), Dambani Samuel Legborsi (Rivers), Duvbiama Omolara Atarhe (Delta), Samuel Revelation Jacob (Bayelsa), Adebeli Onyemaechi Hillary (Delta), Ogbilikana Joseph Sampson (Rivers), and Emmanuel Joseph Coo key (Rivers), while Mogbolu Peter Odafe (Delta), Ojameruaye Ogheneovo Christine (Delta) and Enebeli Paul Chukwudi (Delta) sent their regrets.
Nelson Chukwudi
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.
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